First Herring Brook Reservoir

429 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Owned By: Town of Scituate

• Directions

The First Herring Brook Reservoir in Scituate provides municipal drinking water. It was created by placing a dam on First Herring Brook. As this is part of the town water supply, along with Old Oaken Bucket Pond, downstream, water access and fishing are not permitted. But it’s a great place to enjoy the wildlife and the view!

Features

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Habitats and Wildlife

The ponds here are surrounded by woods and wetlands. Some of the trees include oak, birch, maple and cedar.

First Herring Brook finds its source in Scituate in the area west of Route 3A, between First Parish Road and Old Oaken Bucket Road. It flows through the First Herring Brook Reservoir, and downstream to Old Oaken Bucket Pond, passing through two dams. Below the historic Stockbridge Grist Mill, at the Driftway, it flows into Herring River, a major tributary to the North River. Herring River flows into the North River just upstream of its outlet to the sea.

There is a herring run on First Herring Brook, but unfortunately it is quite depleted, even though there are fish ladders at both dams. NSRWA and the Town of Scituate have been working together to improve streamflows, operate the fish ladders, and restore the fisheries at these sites. This restoration project will ensure adequate water supply for the town, while also supporting wildlife.