Nassau Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nassau Lake |
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 Nassau Lake
Location in New York
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| Location | Rensselaer County, New York |
| Coordinates | 42°32′17″N 73°36′14″W / 42.538°N 73.604°W |
| Type | reservoir |
Nassau Lake is a man-made lake, also called a reservoir. You can find it in Rensselaer County, New York. It was created long ago to hold water.
Contents
How Nassau Lake Was Made
Nassau Lake wasn't always a lake. It started as a wet, marshy area known as "the Vlaie" or "Beaver Meadow."
Jonathan Hoag's Idea
In 1792, a person named Jonathan Hoag moved to Nassau. He bought a lot of land from Stephen Van Rensselaer. This land included the area where the lake is now.
Building the Dam
Jonathan Hoag had an idea to create a pond. He built a dam, which is like a wall that holds back water. This dam caused the "Beaver Meadow" to fill up with water. The new pond was first called Hoag's Pond, named after him.
Who Owns and Cares for the Lake?
Nassau Lake and its dam are looked after by a group called the Nassau Lake Park Improvement Association. They make sure the lake and its surrounding areas are well-maintained.
Lake Access Rules
The lake and the land around it are mainly for people who are members of this Association. This means that only members can usually use the lake and its properties.
Safety for Fishing
It's important to know that there are rules about fishing in Nassau Lake.
Why Fish Consumption is Banned
Currently, people are not allowed to eat fish caught from Nassau Lake. This is because the lake water has some contamination. This pollution came from a place called the Dewey Loeffel Landfill in the past. The ban is a safety measure to protect everyone.
