Ashley Reservoir

Ashley Reservoir, a Class II hazard reservoir, is the secondary drinking supply for the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts. The reservoir, consisting of Wright Pond and Ashley Pond, has an impound capacity of more than 795 million gallons of water and a safe yield of 2.1 million gallons of water per day.

Ashley Reservoir
Shores of the Ashley Reservoir at dusk
Location in the United States
Ashley Reservoir (Massachusetts)
Ashley Reservoir (the United States)
Official nameAshley Reservoir
CountryUnited States of America
LocationHolyoke, Massachusetts
PurposeDrinking water supply
StatusOperational
Opening date1873
Owner(s)City of Holyoke
Operator(s)Holyoke Water Works
Reservoir
CreatesAshley Pond, Wright Pond
Total capacity795 million gallons
Catchment area1,261 acres
Surface area211 acres[1]
Maximum length640 feet
Maximum water depth12 feet
Website
http://www.holyoke.org/departments/water-works/

The reservoir's construction finished and it became fully operational in 1897.[2] Ashley Reservoir is connected to a smaller reservoir McLean Reservoir, named after Holyoke Water Works Commissioner Hugh McLean, through a water-pumping plant that is operated by the Holyoke Water Works.[3] The reservoir has a surrounding gravel road open to civilian recreational use.[4]

Ecology

The reservoir is home to populations of bears, deer, geese, ducks, beavers, and many other animal species.

Watershed public access and recreation

In order to protect the water supply from the threats from unrestricted motorized vehicle use, most areas around the reservoir are publicly accessible only by foot, with limited parking available at some of the surrounding gates.

Fishing is not allowed in the reservoir to protect against aquatic invasive species.

Regulations designed to ensure pure water include the prohibiting of Dogs, horseback riding, camping, smoking, sledding and motorcycle riding are among prohibited activities from the reservoir and abutting property. Pedestrians are allowed on the paths and roads around the reservoir but the scenic expanse that contains a drinking water supply limits activities.[5]

References
  1. "Reports of the Water Boards, Commissioners, and Companies of Massachusetts". Public Documents of Massachusetts being the Annual Reports of Various Public Officers and Institutions for the Year 1882. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co. 1883. p. 164.
  2. "Ashley Reservoir". City of Holyoke. January 26, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  3. "McLean Transfer Pumping Station". City of Holyoke. January 26, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  4. Dave Roback (December 26, 2015). "Many enjoyed the unseasonably warm temperatures in the Pioneer Valley on Saturday". Mass Live. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  5. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/somebodys_going_to_get_killed.html
  • FEMA 2013 City of Holyoke Flood Map
  • Tighe-Carmody Reservoir
  • Whiting Street Reservoir

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