Deep in the heart of central Massachusetts, a massive body of water sits quietly where four entire towns once stood. This reservoir holds roughly 412 billion gallons of water, making it one of the largest reservoirs in the northeastern United States.
What makes it unlike almost any other lake or reservoir in the country is the story buried beneath its surface. Four communities, Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott, were officially disincorporated in 1938 so that the Swift River Valley could be flooded to supply drinking water to Boston and surrounding communities.
Thousands of residents were displaced, cemeteries were relocated, and buildings were torn down or burned. Today, the reservoir spans about 39 square miles in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts, drawing hikers, anglers, birdwatchers, and history enthusiasts from across New England…