Why The Ft. Meadow Reservoir In Marlborough Is Being Partially Drained

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough's Ft. Meadow Reservoir will start to recede next week for the remainder of winter, an annual tradition that serves multiple purposes, according to officials.

Starting Nov. 1, the reservoir will be drained about 2 to 3 inches per day until the water level drops by about 4 feet. The draining could take up to 20 days to finish.

The two main reasons for the drawdown are environmental. With 4 feet taken off the top, residents near the reservoir can remove invasive weeds like milfoil and fanwort. Snow and freezing temperatures will also kill weeds whose roots are exposed.

"The weeds collected should be disposed outside the lake in a manner which will prevent them from washing back into the water or decomposing on the beach and leaching nutrients back into the water," city officials advised.

The drawdown may also help destroy invasive Asian clams that have taken hold in the reservoir. The clams winter just a few inches under the sand, and will die in a deep freeze.

The drawdown will also help Marlborough and Hudson public works departments repair walls and other infrastructure, and clear any clogged drains entering the reservoir.

The reservoir will be refilled to its normal level beginning in early March.