Lake Ashmere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ashmere |
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Ashmere Lake
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 Lake Ashmere
Location in Massachusetts
Lake Ashmere
Location in the United States
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| Location | Berkshire County, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°26′12″N 73°04′58″W / 42.436753°N 73.082879°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Catchment area | 4.6 sq mi (12 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 2,076 acre⋅ft (2,561,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,581 ft (482 m) |
| Dam | Ashmere Lake Dam |
Lake Ashmere, also known as Ashmere Lake, is a beautiful small lake in Massachusetts, USA. It's located in a quiet, rural area called Berkshire County, specifically in the towns of Peru and Hinsdale. This lake is actually a reservoir, which means it's an artificial lake created to store water. It's a popular spot for many fun outdoor activities!
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Fun Things to Do at Lake Ashmere
Lake Ashmere is mostly used for exciting recreational activities. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts owns the lake, making it a public resource for everyone to enjoy.
There are two summer camps right on the lake's shores. Camp Danbee, a private camp for girls, is on the south side. Camp Taconic, a private camp for both boys and girls, is on the north side. These camps offer amazing summer experiences for kids! A third camp, Camp Ashmere, closed after the summer of 2018.
The Ashmere Lake Dam
The Ashmere Lake Dam helps to create and control the lake. It's built from earth, like a large wall of soil and rocks. This type of dam is called a gravity dam because its own weight holds back the water.
The dam is quite long, stretching about 1,525 feet (465 m). It can hold a lot of water, with a total capacity of 3,872 acre-feet (4,776,000 m3). Normally, it stores about 2,076 acre-feet (2,561,000 m3) of water. The dam helps manage the water from an area of about 4.6 square miles (12 km2).
Finding Your Way Around Lake Ashmere
A road called Route 143 actually goes right through the middle of Lake Ashmere. It divides the lake into two main parts. Don't worry, you can still get from one side to the other! There's a special tunnel, called an aqueduct, that connects the two parts. It's about 6 feet wide and has water about 3 feet deep.
The easiest way to reach the lake is by taking Route 143 north from Route 8 in Hinsdale. From Route 143, you can find exits that lead to vacation homes and houses right on the lake. There's only one public spot to access the lake, and it's located at the very southern end.
Images for kids
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Lake Ashmere Dam, seen from a kayak.
