Lake Francis (Murphy Dam) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Francis
Lake Francis as seen from U.S. Route 3 along its northern shore
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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.