Lake Ronkonkoma, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
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Lake Ronkonkoma, the lake for which the community was named.
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U.S. Census map
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 Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Location in Long Island
Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Location in New York
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Suffolk |
| Town | Brookhaven Islip Smithtown |
| Named for | Lake Ronkonkoma |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.54 sq mi (11.76 km2) |
| • Land | 4.54 sq mi (11.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,619 |
| • Density | 4,104.72/sq mi (1,584.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 |
| ZIP Code |
11779
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| Area code(s) | 631, 934 |
| FIPS code | 36-40838 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0954936 |
Lake Ronkonkoma is a community located in Suffolk County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. It is known as a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP). In 2020, about 18,619 people lived here.
Most of Lake Ronkonkoma is in the Town of Brookhaven. Smaller parts are also found in the Town of Smithtown and the Town of Islip.
Contents
Discovering Lake Ronkonkoma's Past
| Lake Ronkonkoma | |
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Location in New York
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| Location | Suffolk County, New York |
| Coordinates | 40°49′42″N 073°07′18″W / 40.82833°N 73.12167°W |
| Primary inflows | groundwater |
| Primary outflows | underground |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. depth | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Surface elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
The actual Lake Ronkonkoma is the biggest lake on Long Island. It is next to the community and gives the area its name. One side of the lake is controlled by the Town of Islip.
How the Lake Works
The lake's surface is about 55 feet (17 meters) above sea level. It is a "groundwater lake," which means it gets its water from underground, not from rivers or streams. Because of this, the lake's water level can change a lot over time. It can rise and fall slowly, depending on the local water table. For example, in the late 1960s, the lake was very low. By 2007, it was much higher, with a difference of over 5 feet (1.5 meters).
Lake Ronkonkoma as a Resort Town
Because of the lake, Lake Ronkonkoma used to be a popular vacation spot. People came to enjoy the water and the scenery. This changed in the mid-20th century when many more people moved to the area. You can still see parts of old resorts and hotels around the lake. Many small summer homes, called bungalows, from that time are still there. Today, people live in them all year round.
Legends and Stories of the Lake
Lake Ronkonkoma has many interesting local legends, especially ones connected to the area's Native American history. Here are a few:
- "It's bottomless!" Some say the lake has no bottom or that it connects to other waterways like Long Island Sound. Actually, the lake is quite deep, about 65 feet (20 meters) on its southeastern side. It's known as a kettle hole lake, formed by melting glaciers.
- "The Lady of the Lake." A popular story says that every year, the lake claims a male victim. This legend often involves Princess Ronkonkoma, who supposedly drowned in the lake. The stories vary about why she drowned. Some say she calls young men into the lake to drown them. However, records show that very few females have drowned in the lake over the past 200 years.
- "Mysterious water levels." People have wondered why the lake's water level rises and falls without a clear link to local rainfall. As mentioned earlier, this is because it's a groundwater lake, and its level depends on the underground water table.
Native American Connections
Native American tribes in Suffolk County generally got along well with the English settlers. This was different from the Dutch areas on Long Island, where there was often conflict.
The lake was very important to the Native Americans. They considered it a sacred lake and a meeting place for different tribes. While the stories about a princess living right by the lake might not be true, the lake certainly held deep meaning for them. Native American groups usually lived closer to the coasts of Long Island, not directly by the lake.
Geography of the Area
The United States Census Bureau states that the Lake Ronkonkoma community covers about 4.9 square miles (12.7 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 18,619 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 19,701 people living in Lake Ronkonkoma. There were about 6,700 households, with many being families. The population density was about 4,093 people per square mile (1,580 people per square kilometer).
About 35.6% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (59.8%) were married couples. The average household had 2.86 people, and the average family had 3.32 people.
The population included people of all ages. About 24.7% were under 18, and 12.2% were 65 or older. The average age was 37 years old.
Parks and Fun Activities
The town beach and park on the eastern side of Lake Ronkonkoma has a special name. It is now called the Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park. Lt. Murphy was a Navy SEAL hero. He used to be the head lifeguard and beach manager at this park when he was in high school and college.
Schools and Learning
Most of Lake Ronkonkoma is part of the Sachem Central School District. However, a smaller part of the community, sometimes called South Centereach, is served by the Middle Country Central School District. This means that children living in Lake Ronkonkoma go to public schools in one of these two districts, depending on where their home is.
Media and News
- WSHR is a radio station that serves the area.
Famous People from Lake Ronkonkoma
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Lake Ronkonkoma:
- Maude Adams (1872–1953): A famous Broadway actress, well-known for playing the main role in Peter Pan.
- Zoe Barnett (1883–1969): Another Broadway actress who appeared in musical comedies.
- Laurie Colwin (1944–1992): A talented author.
- Jumbo Elliott (born 1965): A former National Football League player.
- David E. Grange Jr. (1925–2022): A Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army.
- Dale Snodgrass (1949–2021): A United States Navy aviator and air show performer. He was considered one of the best fighter pilots ever.
See also
In Spanish: Lake Ronkonkoma para niños
