Merrymeeting Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merrymeeting Lake |
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 Merrymeeting Lake
Location in New Hampshire
Merrymeeting Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Strafford County, New Hampshire |
| Coordinates | 43°29′25″N 71°9′19″W / 43.49028°N 71.15528°W |
| Primary outflows | Merrymeeting River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 3.1 mi (5.0 km) |
| Max. width | 1.3 mi (2.1 km) |
| Surface area | 1,233 acres (4.99 km2) |
| Average depth | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
| Max. depth | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Surface elevation | 647 ft (197 m) |
| Settlements | New Durham |
Merrymeeting Lake is a beautiful lake in New Durham, New Hampshire. It covers about 1,233 acres, which is like 930 football fields! The lake is located in Strafford County in the eastern part of the state. Its water flows out into the Merrymeeting River, which then goes to Lake Winnipesaukee.
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Discover Merrymeeting Lake
Merrymeeting Lake is a popular spot for fun and relaxation. It's not a wild, untouched area. Instead, it has many homes and buildings along its shores. People love to visit and live near this lake.
Homes and Life Around the Lake
Most of the land around Merrymeeting Lake has homes on it. Only a few small parts of the shoreline are still undeveloped. For example, the western side of Sawtooth Cove is very steep, so it's hard to build there. Also, the far eastern shore is not easy to reach by road.
Back in the 1980s, most buildings were simple summer cabins. But in the 1990s, many of these were replaced. Now, you can see much fancier vacation homes, some of which are very expensive. The town of New Durham has two paved roads, North Shore Road and South Shore Road. These roads go almost all the way around the lake. This makes it possible for people to live there all year. However, not many people stay during the winter. Most of the properties are second homes for families who enjoy spending time by the lake.
How the Lake's Water Level is Controlled
There is a dam at the west end of Merrymeeting Lake. This dam helps control how much water is in the lake. Every fall, the water level is lowered using the dam. Then, in the spring, snowmelt and rainfall fill the lake back up to its normal level.
Right below the dam, you'll find the Powder Mill Fish Hatchery. This is a special place where young fish are raised. It gets its water from the lake's overflow.
Animals and Fishing Fun
Merrymeeting Lake is home to many interesting animals. You might see common loons, which are large water birds. They even build their nests on the western shore of the lake. Ducks also live on the lake. However, people are asked not to feed them.
If you enjoy fishing, this lake is a great place! The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department adds fish to the lake for people to catch. Merrymeeting Lake is home to both cold-water and warm-water fish. You can find fish like rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, lake trout, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and horned pout.
