Lake Mattamuskeet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Mattamuskeet |
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 Lake Mattamuskeet
Location in North Carolina
Lake Mattamuskeet
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hyde County, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°29′55″N 76°11′20″W / 35.4987°N 76.1890°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 18 mi (29 km) |
| Max. width | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Average depth | 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) |
Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina. It is a shallow lake, usually only about 2 to 3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) deep. The lake is about 18 miles (29 km) long and 7 miles (11 km) wide. You can find Lake Mattamuskeet on the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula.
This lake is home to the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a very important place for many waterfowl in winter. Birds like northern pintail ducks, green-wing teal, and Canada geese come here. You can also see tundra swans visiting the lake.
New Holland Community
New Holland is a small community in Hyde County, North Carolina. It is located along the southern edge of Lake Mattamuskeet.
Draining the Lake
Between 1911 and 1934, some companies tried to drain Lake Mattamuskeet. They worked with the Mattamuskeet Drainage District. Their goal was to create new land for homes, businesses, and farms. They built a huge pumping plant and dug many canals. These canals were about 130 miles (209 km) long.
They wanted to drain about 50,000 acres (202 km²) of the lake. This project also helped about 550 farmers nearby. Their farms could drain into the lakebed more easily. The investors named the new community "New Holland." This name came from similar land projects in the Netherlands.
Becoming a Refuge
The project to drain the lake ended in 1934. The last private owner sold the lake property to the United States government. The government wanted to create a safe place for migratory birds. Today, Lake Mattamuskeet and the old town site of New Holland are part of the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. The community on the south side of the lake is still called "New Holland Community."
Gallery
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Forster's tern fishing on Lake Mattamuskeet
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Swamp sparrow at Lake Mattamuskeet
See also
In Spanish: Lake Mattamuskeet para niños
