Massachusetts Lake is Filled With Tons of Snakes and Covers 39 Square Miles

Summer is humming along, and before you know it, the kids will be heading back to school. I know, it hurts to say it, but it's true. There's still plenty of summer left and many fun things to do here in Massachusetts, especially outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to camp, fish, hike, or swim, Massachusetts offers all of those activities and more.

Speaking of swimming, that is one of my favorite summer activities. As a matter of fact, my daughter and I participate in family swim every week at our local community center, and it's snake-free. Why do I mention that? Well, I found it interesting that there's one particular body of water in Massachusetts that is at the top of the list for snake infestations.

Closeup of a garter snake head with its' reflection in water

Which Massachusetts Lake is Filled with the Most Snakes? 

According to AZ Animals, Quabbin Reservoir, the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts and the primary water supply for Boston, is the most snake-infested lake in the state. This makes sense, seeing that the lake is massive. Quabbin Reservoir's maximum length is 18 miles with a maximum depth of 151 feet. The lake contains 412,000,000,000 gallons of water and covers 39 square miles with 181 miles of shoreline. In terms of snake activity, AZ Animals states that the reservoir is home to almost all of Massachusetts’s 14 snake species. You could spot ring-necked and red-bellied snakes, eastern milksnakes, and maybe even a racer. However, the most common snakes are northern watersnakes and eastern garter snakes.

Google Maps

Is Swimming Allowed at This Massachusetts Lake? 

Swimming is not allowed at Quabbin Reservoir, so you won't have to worry about being in the water with snakes. In addition, there are no dogs allowed at Quabbin Park. The reason behind these strict rules is to protect the water supply. There are also some other bodies of water that are infested with snakes in Massachusetts, and you can discover those locations by going here.