Lake Utopia
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Lake Utopia is located in eastern Charlotte County, New Brunswick, one kilometer northwest of the town on St. George. It is connected to the Magaguadavic River by the second deepest natural canal in the world. The lake is a popular swimming, boating and fishing area for the residents of St. George and surrounding communities–-it contains small mouth bass, trout, perch and river eels (though you may not want one of those on your line!).
Lake Utopia is approximately 7 kilometers long and between 0.8 and 2.8 Kilometers wide The lake level varies throughout the year, as more or less water is allowed through the hydroelectric dam in St. George. It is surrounded by mixed Acadian forest and its shoreline is dotted by both rustic camps and large summer homes.
The major beach on Lake Utopia is Canal Beach. It is a 1/2 kilometer stretch of trucked-in white sand on the southwestern side of the lake, where the canal connects the lake waters to the Magaguadavic River. Canal beach offers excellent swimming, and is equipped with a beach volleyball court, a playground, a canteen, washrooms and changing rooms. Across the lake is a smaller, less well known spot called Scout's Beach–-so named for the old Scout Lodge that is still present there. Scout's Beach is known locally as a "party spot" and the beach is host to two or three large gatherings every summer.
Local legend has it that the Lake is inhabited by a sea monster known as the Lake Utopia Sea Monster. The story goes that long ago two Maliseet Natives were canoing on the lake when suddenly the monster appeared and chased them from one end to the other. Since the arrival of Europeans to the area in the late 1700's, the story has continued, with new sightings being reported every few years.