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Lake Francis (Murphy Dam) facts for kids

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Lake Francis
Lake Francis in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, August 2019.jpg
Lake Francis as seen from U.S. Route 3 along its northern shore
Location of Lake Francis in New Hampshire, USA.
Location of Lake Francis in New Hampshire, USA.
Lake
Francis
Location in New Hampshire
Location of Lake Francis in New Hampshire, USA.
Location of Lake Francis in New Hampshire, USA.
Lake
Francis
Location in the United States
Location Coos County, New Hampshire
Coordinates 45°2′24″N 71°19′48″W / 45.04000°N 71.33000°W / 45.04000; -71.33000
Type Reservoir
Etymology Francis P. Murphy
Primary inflows Connecticut River
Primary outflows Connecticut River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 5.4 mi (8.7 km)
Max. width 1.3 mi (2.1 km)
Surface area 1,934 acres (783 ha)
Average depth 40 feet (12 m)
Max. depth 82 feet (25 m)
Surface elevation 1,379 ft (420 m)
Settlements Pittsburg; Clarksville

Lake Francis is a reservoir on the Connecticut River in northern New Hampshire, United States. The lake is located in Coos County, east of the village of Pittsburg and along the boundary between the towns of Pittsburg and Clarksville. The lake is impounded by Murphy Dam, built in 1940 as a flood control project. The 117-foot (36 m) earthen dam is owned by the Water Division of the state's Department of Environmental Services, and is operated by TC Energy (formerly TransCanada Corporation).

Lake Francis and Murphy Dam are named after Francis P. Murphy, who served as the Governor of New Hampshire from 1937 to 1941. The lake covers nearly 2,000 acres (8 km2), has a capacity of 131,375 acre-feet (162,049,000 m3), and has average and maximum depths of 40 feet (12 m) and 82 feet (25 m), respectively.

The lake is classified as a coldwater fishery, with observed species including rainbow trout, brown trout, landlocked salmon, lake trout, and chain pickerel. There are two public boat launch locations, and ice fishing is permitted from January through March.

Lake Francis State Park is located on the northeast side of the lake, where the Connecticut River flows in. North of Lake Francis is Back Lake, while First Connecticut Lake (one of a series of four Connecticut Lakes that serve as the headwaters of the Connecticut River) lies to the northeast.

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