Lake Nockamixon

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A view of the lake near the boat rentals
A view of the lake near the boat rentals

Lake Nockamixon is an artificial reservoir in southeastern Pennsylvania, and the largest lake in Bucks County. It is formed by a dam on Tohickon Creek and is the centerpiece of Nockamixon State Park. Swimming is not allowed in the lake, but boating is popular, and the park maintains several marinas and boat rentals. Fishing is also popular, and common species include walleye, pickerel, carp, and various kinds of bass and catfish. The water is clean and blue and has a very faint current, since the lake is part of the course of Tohickon Creek. In the winter, the water generally freezes over, allowing for ice skating and ice fishing.

Visitors to the lake can stay in one of several cabins or at a nearby youth hostel.

Another recreational activity at the park is whitewater kayaking. Every June and November, if high water conditions exist, there are timed water releases from the dam for one day. This turns all of Tohickon Creek south of the lake into a whitewater course, and kayakers can go all the way from the lake to where the creek meets the Delaware River.

[edit] History

Tohickon Creek flowing out the dam forming Lake Nockamixon
Tohickon Creek flowing out the dam forming Lake Nockamixon

Creation of the lake was first proposed by the Secretary of the Department of Forests and Water, Dr. Maurice K. Goddard, for recreational uses. It was originally to be called Tohickon Lake, after the creek, but its name was later changed to Nockamixon, meaning "place of soft soil" in the Lenape language. The park today contains several historic Native American sites.

Following its proposal in 1958, the dam was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. The state park was opened to the public in December of 1973

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