- Quabbin Aqueduct
Infobox_Aqueduct
aqueduct_name= Quabbin Aqueduct
caption= Quabbin Aqueduct shaft two in South Barre
official_name= Quabbin Aqueduct
starts=Quabbin Reservoir
ends=Wachusett Reservoir
maint= MWRA
length= 24.6 mi (39.58 km)
height= 12.75 ft (3.89 m)
width= 11 ft (3.35 m)
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capacity= 400 ft³/s (11.33 m³/s)
began= 1897
open= 1905
closed=
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coordinates= coord|42|23|12|N|71|48|08|W|region:US_type:landmark
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extra= The Quabbin Aqueduct carries water from theQuabbin Reservoir to theWachusett Reservoir . It is part of the Eastern Massachusetts public water supply system, maintained by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA ). It is one of the longest tunnels in the world being 1/2 mile (0.80 km) shorter than theHetch Hetchy Aqueduct .Physical characteristics
Water from the 412 billion gallon capacity
Quabbin Reservoir flows through the Quabbin Aqueduct from the Northeast side of the Quabbin, up a grade to theWare River Diversion in SouthBarre, Massachusetts , and then down grade to theWachusett Reservoir through a power station near the Oakdale section ofWest Boylston, Massachusetts . This flow occurs by naturalsiphon action, the high point in thesiphon being at theWare River Diversion . The water surface at the Quabbin Reservoir is about 530 feet (161.54 m) above mean sea level (MSL). The water surface at theWachusett Reservoir is about 384 ft (117.04 m) MSL, and the water surface at theWare River Diversion is about 660 ft (201.16 m) MSL.Novelty
A natural
siphon can only lift water about 30 feet (9.14 m), [Seesiphon for an explanation.] so the aqueduct is several hundred feet underground in several places so that the water head is only about 25 feet (7.62 m) within the suction side of the aqueduct. Portions of the aqueduct follow the route of the Ware River Railway that discontinued with the building of theQuabbin Reservoir . Thesiphon starts at theWare River Diversion by feeding the river water into the aqueduct. If the aqueduct branch that goes to theWachusett Reservoir is closed (the Wachusett-Coldbrook branch), the Ware River water feeds theQuabbin Reservoir for storage. If the Wachusett branch is open, the water flows in both directions. Once the Wachusett branch begins to create sufficient suction as it fills, the Ware River Diversion inlet is closed and the water flow from the Quabbin to the Wachusett Reservoirs continues as a natural siphon.References
* [http://home.manhattan.edu/~walter.matystik/wcb/2/files/boston.htm Federal order detailing the system and requiring changes, especially to water transport east of aqueduct] May 13, 1999
* [http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/hist1.htm Metropolitan Boston's Water System History Massachusetts Water Resources Authority] accessed July 17, 2007
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