The walkway at the Wachusett Dam will be open to the public on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. giving visitors a rare picturesque view of the Wachusett Reservoir and Nashua River.

Massachusetts Department of Conservation staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the Wachusett watershed and visitors will be able to walk across the dam. There are a series of paths and trails on the other side.

The Wachusett is the second largest body of water in Massachusetts and is part of the water supply system for metropolitan Boston. By the time of the dam and reservoir’s completion in 1906 the Wachusett was the largest public water supply reservoir in the world.

About six square miles of land was flooded from damming the Nashua River at the turn of the 20th century, creating the reservoir. The reservoir project flooded areas of the towns of Boylston, West Boylston, Clinton and Sterling.

The walkway was open to the public until the 1990s, when it was gated and closed due to “water supply security and public safety concerns,” the DCR said. These days the DCR opens the dam walkway to the public twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

The dam is located along Route 70 in Clinton. Due to security, backpacks, briefcases and other large bags will not be allowed, the DCR said.

Waterside Chat

If you want to learn more about the reservoir before the dam opening, DCR is hosting a “waterside chat” at the dam on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“While enjoying the sights surrounding the engineering marvel of the Clinton Dam, stop by and meet education staff to enjoy a quick hands-on family friendly activity or have a chat about the Wachusett Reservoir,” The DCR said in a press release.

Both events are held rain or shine.

You can call the DCR at 774-261-1809 for more information.