Harvey's Lake (Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harvey Lake |
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![]() View from Harvey's Lake Park in West Barnet
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Location | Caledonia County, Vermont |
Coordinates | 44°18′17″N 072°08′27″W / 44.30472°N 72.14083°W |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 0.547 sq mi (1.42 km2) |
Max. depth | 144.4 ft (44.0 m) |
Surface elevation | 892 feet (272 m) |
Settlements | Barnet, Vermont |
Harvey Lake, often called Harvey's Lake by local people, is a beautiful lake in the town of Barnet, Vermont. It is located in Caledonia County, Vermont, which is in the Northeast Kingdom part of Vermont, United States.
The lake was named after Colonel Alexander Harvey. He was one of the first people to settle in Barnet. Even though many people call it "Harvey's Lake," its official name is "Harvey Lake." This is because the United States Board on Geographic Names usually does not use apostrophes in the names of natural places like lakes.
Where is Harvey Lake Located?
Harvey Lake is in the western part of the town of Barnet. The small village of West Barnet is right at the northern end of the lake. This is where the lake's water flows out. Other nearby communities include South Peacham to the northwest and Mosquitoville to the south.
A dam at the northern end of the lake helps control the water level. The town of Barnet owns this dam. The northern end of the lake is a very popular spot. It has Harvey's Lake Park with public beaches where you can swim. There are also picnic areas for families and a private campground.
Jacques Cousteau's Early Adventures
Did you know that a famous ocean explorer had important experiences at Harvey Lake? Jacques Cousteau was a French explorer, filmmaker, and inventor. He helped create SCUBA diving equipment. As a young boy in the early 1920s, he spent time at a summer camp on Harvey Lake.
While at the lake, young Jacques experimented with staying underwater. He used hollow reeds that he found in the shallow parts of the lake. He would breathe through these reeds to stay submerged for longer periods. Even though he couldn't swim very well yet, these early experiments helped him explore the underwater world. These experiences were very important for his future work as an ocean explorer.