Massawepie Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Massawepie Lake |
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 Massawepie Lake
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Massawepie Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Lawrence County, New York |
| Coordinates | 44°15′28″N 74°38′44″W / 44.2576722°N 74.6454853°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 431 acres (1.74 km2) |
| Average depth | 23 feet (7.0 m) |
| Max. depth | 75 feet (23 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,512 feet (461 m) |
| Islands | 1 |
Massawepie Lake is a beautiful lake found in St. Lawrence County, New York. It is located in the town of Piercefield. The lake is about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Tupper Lake.
A large part of the lake is surrounded by the Massawepie Scout Camps. The name "Massawepie" comes from the Iroquois people. It means "the beaver's lake." Water from the lake flows west into the South Branch Grass River.
Fishing at Massawepie Lake
Massawepie Lake is a great spot for fishing. You can fish from the shore. There is also a place on the east side to launch a small boat. This launch is on Massawepie Road. You need permission from the Massawepie Scout Camp to use it.
Please note that public use of the lake is not allowed from June to August. Many different kinds of fish live in the lake. These include lake trout, smallmouth bass, and whitefish. You might also find walleye, yellow perch, and black bullhead. Other fish include rock bass and white sucker.
Unique Geography of Massawepie
One of the most interesting natural features near the lake is the Massawepie Mire. A "mire" is a type of bog or wetland. This mire is located right to the south of Massawepie Lake. It is bordered by two long, north-south eskers. An esker is a long, winding ridge of sand and gravel. It is left behind by melting glaciers.
The Massawepie Mire is huge, covering hundreds of acres. It is one of the largest bogs of its kind in the Eastern United States. Most of this special bog is on the Boy Scout camp's property.
A Glimpse into Massawepie's Past
In 1890, a large hotel called the Childwold Park House opened. It was also known as the Childwold Hotel. This hotel was built on the shore of Massawepie Lake. It was just east of where the main flagpole of the current scout camp stands.
In those days, before air conditioning, wealthy people from New York City would visit the Adirondacks. They came to escape the hot summer weather. Visitors to Childwold Park would take the New York Central Railroad north. They would get off at Childwold Station. From there, they traveled about 7 miles (11 km) along the Carriage Road to reach the hotel. Sadly, the Childwold Hotel burned down in 1910.
