Maranacook Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maranacook Lake
Maranacook Lake Location in Maine Show map of Maine Maranacook Lake Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Kennebec County, Maine
Coordinates	44°20′44″N 69°57′23″W / 44.3454256°N 69.9563942°W / 44.3454256; -69.9563942
Lake type	Mesotrophicic, reservoir
Primary inflows	Tingley Brook, Beaver Brook, Roseanne Brook, Dead Stream
Primary outflows	Annabessacook Lake, Cobbosseecontee Lake, Cobbosseecontee Stream, Kennebec River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	1,673 acres (677 ha)
Average depth	30 ft (9.1 m)
Max. depth	118 ft (36 m)
Water volume	48,020 acre⋅ft (59,230,000 m3)
Surface elevation	374 ft (114 m)
Settlements	Readfield and Winthrop

Maranacook Lake from Green Street, Winthrop c. 1905

Maranacook Lake is a body of water in Kennebec County, Maine located in the towns of Readfield, Maine and Winthrop, Maine. The lake covers 1,673 acres (677 ha) with a maximum depth of 118 feet (36 m) and a mean depth of 30 feet (9.1 m). It is one of the major bodies of water in the Winthrop Lakes Region.

Water supply

Maranacook Lake serves as the secondary drinking water supply for Winthrop, Maine. The area around Maranacook Lake that is not developed is mainly forest and fairly level ground used for agriculture. Maranacook Lake is fed primarily by four perennial streams: Tingley Brook from the northeast, Beaver Brook from the east, Roseanne Brook from the west, and Dead Stream from the northwest. Dead Stream is the main outlet from Torsey Pond to Maranacook Lake's west. Annabessacook Lake is the main outlet, but the lake also feeds Cobbosseecontee Lake and Cobbosseecontee Stream, as well as the Kennebec River.

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  Maranacook Lodge and launch

Recreation

A popular and historic recreation area and tourist attraction, Maranacook is heavily developed with many summer homes, rental cabins, and year-round residences. Known as one of the cleanest bodies of water in Maine, the lake belongs to the Cobbossee Watershed, and is monitored by the Maranacook Lake Association. The North Basin in Readfield is roughly 700 acres and shallow, with a homothermous quality. The roughly 1,000 acre South Basin in Winthrop is deeper and colder. Maranacook Lake Upper Dam is a recent addition to the area. Constructed in 1995, the concrete dam is found at the southeastern tail of the lake in Winthrop. The dam's creation has helped regulate water levels as well as in associated local bodies of water, and it has slowed erosion on the shores of the lake.

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  Camps on the lake

Fishing

The lake is known for its populations of smallmouth and largemouth bass, and smelt.

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  Paddlers on the lake

Camp

The lake is home to the popular day camp in Readfield, Camp KV.