Lake Hayward (Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Hayward |
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| Long Pond, Shaw Lake | |
 Lake Hayward
Location in Connecticut
Lake Hayward
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 41°31′21″N 72°19′47″W / 41.5226°N 72.3296°W |
| Type | lake |
| Primary outflows | Eightmile River |
| Max. length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Average depth | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Max. depth | 37 ft (11 m) |
Lake Hayward is a natural lake in Connecticut, USA. It gets its water from underground springs. You can find it just north of Devil's Hopyard State Park. The lake is mainly in East Haddam, Connecticut. It also touches the towns of Colchester and Salem.
How Lake Hayward Got Its Name
Long ago, Native American tribes called this lake Long Pond. Later, it was known as Shaw Lake. The lake is now named after a person named Nathaniel Hayward.
Nathaniel Hayward was a businessman in the 1800s. In 1838, he worked with Charles Goodyear. Goodyear is famous for the company that makes tires. They had a rubber factory together in Massachusetts.
Later, in 1847, Mr. Hayward started his own shoe factory. This factory was in Colchester, Connecticut. He lived in Colchester until he passed away in the 1860s. During that time, he bought land near Shaw's Pond. He used this land for hunting. There was also a mill operating there.
After Nathaniel Hayward died, Shaw's Pond was renamed Lake Hayward. This was done to honor him. A street in Colchester, Hayward Avenue, was also named after him.
What Makes Lake Hayward Special?
Lake Hayward is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) (2.4 km) long. It is also about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) (0.8 km) wide. The lake covers an area of 174 acres (70 ha) (70 hectares). Its surface is 348 feet (106 m) (106 meters) above sea level.
The lake is not very deep on average. Its average depth is 11 feet (3.4 m) (3.4 meters). But in some spots, it can be much deeper. The deepest part of the lake is 37 feet (11 m) (11 meters) down.
Fun and Rules at Lake Hayward
Lake Hayward has four private beaches. These beaches are only for people who own property around the lake.
One important rule at Lake Hayward is about boats. You cannot use motorboats that have gasoline engines. This rule helps keep the lake clean and quiet.
The western side of the lake is looked after by a group. This group is called the Property Owners Association of Lake Hayward (POALH). They help manage the area. People live around the lake all year. Others have homes there just for the summer.
