New England Paddler
Dorothy Pond
Dorothy Pond
Last Updated: 11/2024
Dorothy Pond Watershed Association
Our Mission
The purpose of this organization is to promote the welfare of Dorothy Pond as well as raise private and public funds to enhance the water quality, recreational usage, and fish and wildlife of Dorothy Pond, the Dorothy Pond Watershed and any contiguous areas.
History
The following excerpt is from The Centennial History of The Town of Millbury Dorothy Pond :
Dorothy Pond lies in the northern portion of the town between the old road to Worcester and the tracks of the Albany Railroad Branch. This pond as seen from the road is one of quiet beauty. It lies four hundred feet above the sea level and it is the only pond of considerable size that is wholly within the limits of the town.
The earliest name by which this sheet of water was called was “South Pond”. In the Proprietors’ Book the name “Dorothy” early appears as its name, however. Just how this name was received has not been determined. As the spelling of names in the old documents was largely phonetic we find a variety of spellings for this pond such as Dorothy’s, Dorathy’s, Doriat’s, Doritee’s, Dorrity’s, Dority’s, Doriet’s, Dorrety, Doraites. The spelling Dorothy or Dorothy’s is that most found when the handwriting is the best. “Dorothy Pond” and “Dority Pond” are the designations that older families employ the most.
The stream flowing out from Dorothy Pond, like other streams in Millbury is not large, but in coursing a mile and a quarter it has a drop of sixty feet before it enters the Blackstone near the County Bridge.
For more information on Dorothy Lake and projects, click below:
Dorothy Pond Car Top Launch
Position: 42°12.57'N 71°44.64'W
Access:
Access:
Car top boats only can be launched near the dam and parking. A portage is required over the old railroad bed in order to access the main part of the pond.
Nearest Launch Address:
212 Riverlin Street, Millbury, MA 01527
Use this entrance to the parking next to the dam.
Paddle across this area to the railroad causway and portage over to the main part of the pond.
Martha Deering Wildlife Management Area
Comprising 182 acres of mixed hardwoods, hiking trails, wooded wetlands, intermittent streams and a few small open fields this land is managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. The Deering WMA is located on Riverlin Street only a few hundred yards from Dorothy Pond. Learn it's history and more by clicking below:
STATISTICS
- Skill Level: Flat water
- Estimated Time: 1.5 hour
- Perimeter: 3.9 miles
- USGS Map: Worcester South, MA , Milford, MA
Physical Features
- Area: 133 (148) acres
- Max depth: feet
- Average Depth: feet
- Transparency:
- Terrain Type: Wooded, Homes
- Elevation: 394 feet
Fish Population
- Latest Survey: 2006
- 13 Species: Bluegill, Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Mirror Carp, Pumpkinseed, White Perch, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch
- In addition, local anglers have reported catching the following fish species: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Trout
National Inventory of Dams
Dorothy Pond Dam
NID ID: MA00146
Owner: Town of Millbury
Owner Type: Local Government
Purpose: Recreation
NID Height: 11 feet
NID Storage: 1,200 Acre-feet
Year Complete: 1825
Dam Type: Earth
Last Inspected: 08/04/2016
Emergency Action Plan Prepared: YES
Last Emergency Action Plan Revision: 08/01/2023
Owner: Town of Millbury
Owner Type: Local Government
Purpose: Recreation
NID Height: 11 feet
NID Storage: 1,200 Acre-feet
Year Complete: 1825
Dam Type: Earth
Last Inspected: 08/04/2016
Emergency Action Plan Prepared: YES
Last Emergency Action Plan Revision: 08/01/2023
Fishing
There is currently no state information published on this pond.
Massachusetts Audubon Society’s
Broad Meadow Brook
Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester is the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England, with more than 429 acres cooperatively managed or owned by Mass Audubon. Interpretive signs will guide you along well-marked trails through woods, fields, streams, and marsh. Please leave dogs and other pets at home.
Colton Road Conservation Area
Obtained by the Millbury Board of Selectmen from the Gustafson Family in 1985 this 117 acre site is managed by the Conservation Commission. It is located on Riverlin Street across from the Little Dorothy Pond Recreation Area and abuts the Martha Deering Wildlife Management Area. This parcel is wooded and abuts a cattail marsh at the headwaters of Dorothy Stream. A trail wraps around the Marsh from Colton Road to the power lines and then several trails connect to the multiple trail network in the Deering WMA. Check out All Trails by clicking below:
Adjacent Open Space
Little Dorothy Pond Recreational Area:
This picturesque fishing and picnic site is home to the Dorothy Pond Dam & two spillways that empty into the headwaters of Dorothy Stream. Surrounding Little Dorothy Pond, this 21.6 acre parcel was gifted to the Town of Millbury by Great Neck Tool (owner of the former Buck Brothers Tool Works) in the 1990’s through the efforts of Highway Surveyor Joseph Chase, Town Planner Stephen Bishop, and Selectman Jude Cristo. The site is managed by the Millbury Parks Commission and is located on Riverlin Street across from the 117 acre Colton Road Conservation Area. The site currently contains picnic tables and a trail that connects to the former railroad bed trail that abuts the main body of water.
Old Millbury Railroad Trail:
This old railroad line which separates Dorothy Pond and Little Dorothy Pond was an active rail line until the 1970’s when it closed due to the loss of industrial manufacturing on Howe Avenue near Millbury Center. The old line extends from Millbury Center to Route 122 in North Grafton. This approximately 2‐mile long right of way offers several hundred feet of public access to Dorothy Pond and is owned by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction. The old rail road bed is a favorite spot for anglers, hikers, mountain bikers, and snow mobiles and connects to several hundred acres of public lands.
