Historically, North Watuppa pond has been widely used by ice harvesters, cotton manufacturers, aboriginals, and private land owners. The Watuppa Ponds were originally one large inland lake, which was divided by stepping stones laid across the narrow portion in the 1800’s, now a turnpike.

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In 1891, a legislative act authorized the City of Fall River to protect lands along the shores of North Watuppa Pond for the purpose of maintaining a clean drinking water supply. The act was amended in 1895 to include lands in the Town of Westport. The Fall River Reservoir Commission was also formed that year with the mission of protecting the purity of the City’s water supply. Meanwhile, the City’s Board of Water Commissioners (now known as the Watuppa Water Board) managed the Water Department and North Watuppa Pond. 

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Over the years, the Reservoir Commission acquired thousands of acres of land around North Watuppa Pond and beyond through agreements with local manufacturers and land purchases. In 1931, the job of the Commission had come to an end, and all duties were transferred to the Watuppa Water Board.