Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds facts for kids
Mashpee Pond and Wakeby Pond are two large ponds right next to each other. You can find them in the towns of Mashpee and Sandwich, Massachusetts. Together, these two ponds are the biggest freshwater ponds on Cape Cod. They cover a huge area of about 729 acres (2.95 square kilometers). At their deepest point, the ponds are about 85 feet (26 meters) deep.
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What Are These Ponds Like?
These ponds are special because they are kettleholes. A kettlehole is a bowl-shaped hole in the ground. It forms when a large chunk of ice from a glacier melts and leaves a depression. Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds get all their water from groundwater. This means water soaks into the ground and then flows into the ponds. They do not have any streams flowing into them.
The only stream that flows out of these ponds is the Mashpee River. This river flows south and eventually reaches Popponesset Bay.
Fun Activities on the Ponds
Many people enjoy visiting Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds. There is a special ramp off Route 130 in Mashpee. This ramp is made of concrete and helps people launch their boats into the water.
Boating and Swimming
The ponds are very popular for boating and swimming. It's a great place to spend a sunny day on the water. However, there are no public beaches right on the ponds where you can pull your boat ashore.
Fishing Adventures
Fishing is a big activity here! People enjoy bass fishing and trout fishing. You can also try ice fishing in the winter when the ponds freeze over. Fly fishing and bait-casting are popular methods too.
In 2006, some amazing fish were caught here. They even won awards from a program called MassWildlife's Freshwater Sportfish Awards. For example, someone caught a white catfish that weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces (3.26 kilograms). Another person caught a sunfish weighing 1 pound, 5 ounces (0.60 kilograms).
Around the Ponds
The shores of Mashpee and Wakeby Ponds are home to a few interesting spots. You can find Attaquin Beach there. There is also a youth summer camp where kids can have fun. Many homes are also built along the edges of the ponds.
