Bellamy Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bellamy Reservoir |
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![]() Bellamy Reservoir dam in Madbury
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Location | Strafford County, New Hampshire |
Coordinates | 43°11′17″N 70°57′13″W / 43.18806°N 70.95361°W |
Type | Reservoir |
Primary inflows | Bellamy River Mallego Brook |
Primary outflows | Bellamy River |
Basin countries | United States |
Max. length | 3.2 mi (5.1 km) |
Max. width | 0.5 mi (0.8 km) |
Surface area | 333 acres (135 ha) |
Average depth | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
Max. depth | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
Surface elevation | 125 ft (38 m) |
Settlements | Madbury |
Bellamy Reservoir is a large, man-made lake in New Hampshire, United States. It's located in Strafford County, mostly in the town of Madbury. This important reservoir helps provide drinking water for the city of Portsmouth.
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Bellamy Reservoir: A Vital Water Source
Bellamy Reservoir is a big body of water, covering about 333 acres. It's found in Strafford County, in eastern New Hampshire. Most of the reservoir is in the town of Madbury. A small part of its eastern side reaches into Dover.
Why is Bellamy Reservoir Important?
This reservoir is super important because it's the main source of drinking water for the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It also used to supply water to the Pease Air Force Base.
How Does the Reservoir Work?
A reservoir is like a giant storage tank for water. The Bellamy Reservoir was created by building a dam in 1960. This dam holds back the water from the Bellamy River and Mallego Brook, forming the large lake we see today. The Bellamy River also flows out of the reservoir. This river eventually connects to Great Bay, which is a tidal estuary. An estuary is where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. Great Bay then connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Piscataqua River.
What Kinds of Fish Live Here?
Bellamy Reservoir is known as a "warmwater fishery." This means its waters are warm enough for certain types of fish to live and thrive. You can find several kinds of fish here, including:
These fish make the reservoir a popular spot for fishing!