Lake Wickaboag
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| Lake Wickaboag | |
|---|---|
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| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | Lake |
| Surface area | 320 acres |
| Average depth | 7 ft (2.13 m) |
| Max-depth | 11 ft (3.35 m) |
| Shore length1 | 5.2 mi (8.36 km) |
| Surface elevation | 594 ft (181 m) MSL |
| Settlements | West Brookfield |
| 1 Shore length is an imprecise measure which may not be standardized for this article. | |
Lake Wickaboag is located in the town of West Brookfield, Massachusetts. It is an artificial lake covering approximately 320 acres. Maximum depth is 11 ft (3.35 m) with a mean depth of 7 ft (2.13 m). Lake Wickaboag is heavily used for recreation year round. There is a public boat ramp near the center of town and there is parking for boat trailers. The town beach permits swimming with a lifeguard present during the daytime in the summer.
[edit] History
Originally called Wekabaug Pond, from the Nipmic Indian word meaning wet place or swamp, in 1890, Lake Wickaboag existed as Wickaboag Pond, somewhat smaller than the present lake. In the 1930s, the natural dam was replaced with a new construction, which raised the level of the lake and flooded more of the Wickaboag Valley swamp. The lake drains into the Quaboag River, which passes by to the south.
[edit] Description
Only local drainage feeds the lake and it is very shallow. Because of this, the water is quite warm in the summertime and often brown in color. Drainage from a wetlands area called Wickaboag Valley, which runs from Lake Wickaboag northward to Gilbertville Road, New Braintree, forms Mill Brook and Sucker Brook that feed into the north end of the lake. This lake is part of the Chicopee River Watershed.
[edit] References
- Lake Wickaboag information
- West Brookfield information
- Lake Wickaboag facts
- In 1890 it was Wickaboag Pond
