Lake Ronkonkoma (lake) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ronkonkoma |
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 Lake Ronkonkoma
Location in Long Island
Lake Ronkonkoma
Location in New York
Lake Ronkonkoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | Suffolk County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°49′42″N 073°07′18″W / 40.82833°N 73.12167°W |
| Type | kettle lake |
| Primary inflows | groundwater |
| Primary outflows | underground |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 243 acres (0.98 km2) |
| Max. depth | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Surface elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
Lake Ronkonkoma is the largest freshwater lake on Long Island, New York. It is located in Suffolk County, United States. The lake is about 2 miles (3.2 km) around and 0.65 miles (1.05 km) wide on average.
This special lake is a kettle lake. This means it was formed by huge glaciers that melted long ago. The name Ronkonkoma comes from an Algonquian expression. It means "boundary fishing-lake."
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Lake Ronkonkoma's History
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Lake Ronkonkoma has a rich history. It once served as a natural border for four different Native American communities. These were the Nissequogues, Setaukets, Secatogues, and Unkechaugs. The lake's name reflects this past. It was known as "Raconkamuck," meaning "the boundary fishing place."
People started settling on the Smithtown side of the lake by the 1740s. However, the area became famous much later. In the late 1890s, tourists began to arrive. They were drawn by stories that the lake's water had special healing powers.
By the 1920s, many beach pavilions were built. The Long Island Rail Road helped the area grow. It reached nearby Lakeland in 1842. This changed the quiet farming area into a popular spot.
Exploring Lake Ronkonkoma's Depths
Lake Ronkonkoma was created by a melting glacier. Parts of the lake are very deep for Long Island. However, most of the lake is less than 15 feet (4.6 m) deep. Fish usually don't live deeper than 15 feet (4.6 m). This is because there isn't enough oxygen in the water at those depths.
Fish Species in the Lake
The main game fish in Lake Ronkonkoma are largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It can be tricky to find them because there aren't many natural hiding spots. In recent years, the number of white perch and yellow perch has grown. This has changed the lake's natural balance.
Here are some of the fish you might find in Lake Ronkonkoma:
You might hear rumors about piranha in the lake. However, these stories are not true. Any reported bites are likely from turtles. Turtles live in the lake and might bite if they feel threatened.
Lake Ronkonkoma as a Resort
Lake Ronkonkoma was a very popular summer resort in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wealthy people from New York City built summer homes here. There were also boarding houses and hotels for visitors.
In 1911, the Long Island Motor Parkway was finished. This road made it easier for people to travel from Queens to the lake. The winding road itself was an adventure!
Summers at the lake were full of boating and swimming. In the fall, hunting was popular. During the winter, people enjoyed ice skating parties. A favorite game on the ice was Crack the Whip.
Over time, the lakefront changed. It became less exclusive. Many long-time residents moved away. In the 1950s, some private beaches were sold. Some old beach pavilions were left empty and burned down.
The lake's shoreline is shared by three towns: Smithtown, Islip, and Brookhaven. This made it hard to manage pollution. Now, a group called the Tri-Town Committee for the Preservation of Lake Ronkonkoma works together. They are trying to solve the pollution problems as one big team. This helps all the residents of Long Island.
