Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com beforetherewasadam.comWachusett Reservoir Maximum Flow Test Wachusett Aqueduct Maximum Flow Test Recent extensive pipe and valve replacement at the Lower Gate House (powerhouse) at the Wachusett Dam necessitated the complete shutdown of the Wachusett Aqueduct for almost two years. That work was completed and the Wachusett Aqueduct reactivated as a standby… Continue reading Wachusett Aqueduct Maximum Flow Test
Author: beforetherewasadam_050rbj
French Hill
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com West Boylston Old Town French Hill French Hill as it looks today French Hill as it appeared before the Reservoir was built Part II French Hill Nashua River Valley The Nashua River Valley was studded with textile mills between Clinton and Oakdale. Workers from far and wide migrated… Continue reading French Hill
Central Village
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com West Boylston Old Town Central Village Central Village as it looks today Central Village as it might have looked before the Reservoir was built Part I in this series addresses the Central Village, a thriving community of town government, schools and businesses located in the large flat area between the… Continue reading Central Village
West Boylston Old Town
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com West Boylston Old Town West Boylston 1891 OH Bailey Over 90% if the homes and buildings seen in the lower half of the drawing would be demolished to make way for the Wachusett Reservoir We tend to think of West Boylston… Continue reading West Boylston Old Town
Flume – Gatehouse
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com Flume – Gatehouse The Gatehouse I had occasion recently to speak at the New England Water Works Association Spring Joint Regional Conference & Exhibition and, in the time allotted, opted to talk about the flume that was constructed to safely control the Nashua River during the construction of the dam.… Continue reading Flume – Gatehouse
Wachusett Dam – Site Preparation
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com Site Preparation In 1895 it was understood that excavation for the dam, down to bedrock, would result in a huge hole but few realized that it would take five long years to complete the preparatory work before the digging could be started. Major obstacles to be overcome, as addressed in… Continue reading Wachusett Dam – Site Preparation
St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery St. Luke’s Cemetery Gate , West Boylston Cemeteries within the proposed watershed area of the new reservoir, especially those which would be submerged, posed problems for the Metropolitan Water Board. St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clinton and the Beaman Cemetery in West Boylston were two well… Continue reading St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery
Sudbury Pipe Arch
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com Sudbury Pipe Arch Steel Pipe Arch over the Sudbury River While preparing a report on the Weston Aqueduct, which I hope to complete this winter, I had a chance to study the pipe arch spanning the Sudbury River above Saxonville. Curious, as I am always, as to how the builders… Continue reading Sudbury Pipe Arch
Rip Rap
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com Rip Rap Rip rap at the South Dike Many have been asking what Rip Rap is exactly. I put this article together to help explain its use at the North Dike, where it came from and how it was moved there. Rip Rap is a collection of heavy stones placed… Continue reading Rip Rap
South Main Street
Wachusett Dam & Reservoir beforetherewasadam.com South Main Street 1896 Here is a little entertainment for my old classmates who grew up on South Main Street and should recognize much of what is presented below. I hope you like it…and don’t forget to become a subscriber to receive future articles. Thanks, Paul https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/638917265 Marquee… Menu… Post… Continue reading South Main Street