Damariscotta Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Damariscotta Lake |
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View of Damariscotta Lake in Nobleboro, Maine
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 Damariscotta Lake
Location in Maine
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| Location | Lincoln County, Maine |
| Coordinates | 44°08′49″N 69°29′10″W / 44.147°N 69.486°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary outflows | Damariscotta River |
| Max. length | 10 miles (16 km) |
| Max. width | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) |
| Surface area | 4,381 acres (1,773 ha) |
| Average depth | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 114 feet (35 m) |
| Shore length1 | 21.4 miles (34.4 km) |
| Surface elevation | 52 feet (16 m) |
| Islands | Spectacle Islands |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Damariscotta Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake located in Lincoln County, Maine. It's a popular spot for fishing, boating, and enjoying nature. This large lake covers over 4,300 acres and touches three towns: Jefferson, Nobleboro, and Newcastle. It's especially famous for its annual "run" of alewife fish, which is a really cool natural event!
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Discover Damariscotta Lake
Damariscotta Lake is one of Maine's largest lakes. It stretches about 10 miles long and nearly 2 miles wide. The lake is quite deep in some places, reaching up to 114 feet. Its shores are a mix of forests, homes, and small towns.
The lake is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people visit for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Common fish found here include bass, perch, and trout. The lake's clear waters make it a wonderful natural playground.
Damariscotta Lake State Park
At the northern end of Damariscotta Lake, you'll find Damariscotta Lake State Park. This park covers 19 acres and is a perfect spot for families. It has a sandy beach, picnic areas, and a playground. It's a popular place to cool off and relax during the summer months. The park offers easy access to the lake for swimming and launching small boats.
The Amazing Alewife Run
One of the most unique things about Damariscotta Lake is its annual alewife run. Alewives are a type of fish that live in the ocean but swim up rivers and into freshwater lakes to lay their eggs. This journey happens every spring, usually in May.
Thousands of alewives leave the ocean and swim up the Damariscotta River. They then reach a special structure called a fish ladder at Damariscotta Mills.
What is a Fish Ladder?
A fish ladder is like a set of stairs for fish! It's a series of pools built around a dam. The pools are at different levels, allowing fish to jump or swim from one pool to the next. This helps them get past the dam and continue their journey upstream to the lake. The fish ladder at Damariscotta Mills was first built in 1807. It helps the alewives reach Damariscotta Lake to lay their eggs, ensuring new generations of fish.
Watching the alewives make their way up the fish ladder is a popular event. People come from all over to see this incredible natural migration. It shows how humans can help protect wildlife and their important journeys.
