Washburn Island

South Cape Beach State Park, Sage Lot and Flat Ponds

Acres: 432
Habitat: The barrier beach and fragile dune systems provide the Bay some protection against the dynamic shore, which changes with the season as well as in response to coastal storms and hurricanes.The beach serves as a nesting ground for the Federally Threatened Piping Plover and a foraging ground for the Endangered Roseate Tern. Sage Lot and Flat Ponds are salt ponds to the east of the Bay that are part of South Cape Beach State Park. Barrier beaches separate them from Vineyard Sound.
History: South Cape Beach has features similar to a prehistoric site in the National Seashore in Eastham on the Outer Cape.
Recreation: The eastern part of the barrier beach system is South Cape Beach State Park, a swimming beach which is also a noted surf casting site during the annual bluefish and striped bass migrations. A parking fee of $7.00 is charged per vehicle from mid-May to mid-October. A lifetime senior citizen pass for Massachusetts state residents, which entitles you to free parking at the state beach (and all other state parks), is available at the Reserve Headquarters. Call the Reserve at (508) 457-0495 for more information.

Waquoit Bay

Acres: 825
Habitat: Fresh water enters the Bay from 4 principal sources; the Quashnet/Moonakis River, Red Brook, Childs River, and ground water flow. .
History: Salt water enters through two maintained channels and a new inlet created by Hurricane Bob in 1991. It is relatively shallow (maximum depth 9 feet, average depth less than 3 feet). It is a little over 2.5 miles from the entrance at the southern end to the Reserve Headquarters at the northern end.
Recreation: Kayaking, sailing, power boating, fishing, birding.

Hamblin Pond, Jehu Pond and Abigail's Brook

Acres: Hamblin, 141 acres; Jehu, 172 acres; Abigail's Brook, xx acres
Habitat:
History:
Recreation: The best way to explore Hamblin and Jehu Ponds are by kayak. Don't forget to look for Osprey nests in the area. Abigail's Brook offers wonderful hiking opportunities.
Hamblin and Jehu Ponds are salt ponds to the east of the Bay fed through the Little and Great Rivers. The salt ponds are generally bordered by private housing and undeveloped land which is now parts of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge.

Quashnet River Property

Acres: 361 acres
Habitat: The River is the largest source of fresh water to the Bay and provides important habitat for brook trout, herring and eels. Upland forests comprise most of the property. .
History: The Property was purchased by the Commonwealth in 1987 and incorporated into the Reserve. The Reserve and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife manage the Property.
Recreation: There is a 3 mile loop trail that circumnavigates the Quashnet River. Be sure to admire the restoration work done by Trout Unlimited that has transformed this from a cranberry bog channel back into the productive river it is today.

North Quashnet Woods

Acres: 25 acres
Habitat: Pine Woodland
History: Like many rivers of Cape Cod, this portion of the Quashnet River was used for a cranberry bog in days past. Our most recent acquisition, the trails of this area are not used as much as it's popular cousin to the south.
Recreation: Hiking and fishing

Child's River

Acres:
Habitat:
History: Some archiological artificats, such as points, dating back to 450-1000 years ago, were found in this area. The Child's River is the smallest sub-estuary with the highest housing density in the Waquoit Bay watershed.
Recreation: Kayaking, fishing, power boating.

Headquarters Site