{{Infobox dam | name = Ashley Reservoir | name_official = Ashley Reservoir | image = Trails along the shore of Ashley Reservoir, Holyoke, Massachusetts (2010).jpg | image_caption = Shores of the Ashley Reservoir at dusk | image_size = 250 | coordinates = {{coord|42.175|-72.661|format=dms|type:waterbody_region:US-MA|display=inline,title}} | country = United States of America | location = Holyoke, Massachusetts | purpose = Drinking water supply | status = Operational | opening = 1873 | owner = City of Holyoke | operator = Holyoke Water Works | res_name = Ashley Pond, Wright Pond | res_capacity_total = {{convert|795|e6USgal|e6m3|abbr=on}} | res_catchment = {{convert|1,261|acres|abbr=on}} | res_surface = {{convert|211|acres|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Public Documents of Massachusetts being the Annual Reports of Various Public Officers and Institutions for the Year 1882|publisher=Wright & Potter Printing Co.|location=Boston|year=1883|chapter=Reports of the Water Boards, Commissioners, and Companies of Massachusetts|page=164|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SFM3iRcEBl8C&pg=PP902}}</ref> | res_max_length = {{convert|640|feet|abbr=on}} | res_max_depth = {{convert|12|feet|abbr=on}} | res_elevation = {{convert|97|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}{<ref name=gnis>{{gnis|608699}}</ref> | location_map = USA Holyoke#USA Massachusetts#USA | location_map_caption = Location in the United States | location_map_size = 180px | website = http://www.holyoke.org/departments/water-works/ }}
'''Ashley Reservoir''' is a reservoir in Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States. A Class II hazard reservoir, it is the secondary drinking supply for the city of Holyoke. The reservoir, consisting of Wright Pond and Ashley Pond, has an impound capacity of more than {{convert|795|e6USgal|e6m3}} of water and a safe yield of {{convert|2.1|e6USgal|m3}} of water per day.
The reservoir's construction finished and it became fully operational in 1897.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holyoke.org/ashley-reservoir/|title=Ashley Reservoir|date=January 26, 2013|publisher=City of Holyoke|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> Ashley Reservoir is connected to a smaller reservoir McLean Reservoir, named after Holyoke Water Works Commissioner Hugh McLean, through a water-pumping plant that is operated by the Holyoke Water Works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holyoke.org/west-holyokemclean-transfer-pumping-station/|title=McLean Transfer Pumping Station|date=January 26, 2013|publisher=City of Holyoke|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> The reservoir has a surrounding gravel road open to civilian recreational use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/photos_many_enjoyed_the_unseas.html|title=Many enjoyed the unseasonably warm temperatures in the Pioneer Valley on Saturday|author=Dave Roback|date=December 26, 2015|publisher=Mass Live|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>
==Ecology== The reservoir is home to populations of bears, deer, geese, ducks, beavers, and many other animal species. Maple, oak and red and white pine line the uplands, with red osier, alder, buttonbush and other wetlands shrubs closer to the water. Sunfish and milfoil can be seen underwater.
==Watershed public access and recreation== {{importance section|date=May 2020}} In order to protect the water supply from the threats from unrestricted motorized vehicle use, most areas around the reservoir are publicly accessible only by foot, with limited parking available at some of the surrounding gates.
'''Fishing''' is not allowed in the reservoir to protect against aquatic invasive species.
Regulations designed to ensure pure water include the prohibiting of dogs, horseback riding, camping, smoking, sledding, and motorcycle riding. Pedestrians are allowed on the paths and roads around the reservoir but the scenic expanse that contains a drinking water supply limits activities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/somebodys_going_to_get_killed.html|title=Holyoke Council wants risky reservoir entrance addressed|date=20 April 2017}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *FEMA 2013 City of Holyoke Flood Map [http://www.holyoke.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013..pdf] *Tighe-Carmody Reservoir [http://www.holyoke.org/tighe-carmody-reservoir] *Whiting Street Reservoir [http://www.holyoke.org/whiting-street-reservoir]
{{Holyoke, Massachusetts}} {{Massachusetts canals and reservoirs}}
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Category:Reservoirs in Massachusetts Category:Geography of Holyoke, Massachusetts Category:1873 establishments in Massachusetts