Otis Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Otis Reservoir |
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Otis Reservoir
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 Otis Reservoir
Location in Massachusetts
Otis Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Otis / Tolland / Blandford, Massachusetts, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°09′15″N 73°02′26″W / 42.15417°N 73.04056°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 1,085 acres (4.39 km2) |
| Average depth | 5.33 m (17.5 ft) |
| Max. depth | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) |
| Water volume | 5.6 billion US gallons (21,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 432 m (1,417 ft) |
| Islands | several |
Otis Reservoir is a large, man-made lake covering about 1,085 acres (or 4.4 square kilometers). It's mostly located in Otis, Massachusetts, with smaller parts in Tolland and Blandford. This reservoir is a favorite spot for many outdoor activities. People love to come here for boating, swimming, fishing, and even water skiing. In the winter, it's a great place for snowmobiling and other cold-weather fun.
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How Otis Reservoir Was Made
The Otis Reservoir you see today wasn't always one big lake. It was created in 1865 by flooding three smaller ponds: Rand, Little, and Messenger Ponds. This happened when a dam was built across the Fall River. The Fall River is a small stream that flows into the Farmington River.
The Farmington River Power Company built this dam. Their main goal was to store water. This stored water helped make sure there was always enough water power for the mills along the Farmington River. These mills used the force of moving water to power their machines.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Otis Reservoir is a very popular place for recreation. There are many exciting activities you can enjoy here:
- Boating: You can bring your own boat or rent one.
- Swimming: The lake is a great place to cool off on a hot day.
- Fishing: The reservoir is home to many kinds of fish. You might catch bass, white perch, yellow perch, tiger muskies, catfish, and bluegills. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife also adds trout to the lake regularly.
- Water Skiing: If you like speed and adventure, water skiing is a popular sport here.
- Camping: There are places around the lake where you can set up a tent and enjoy nature.
- Snowmobiling: In the winter, when the lake freezes over, it becomes a fun spot for snowmobiling.
Exploring Around the Lake
A big part of the shoreline, about a quarter of it, is taken up by Tolland State Forest. This state forest is a popular spot for camping, launching boats, and swimming. Besides the state forest, there's also a private campground called Camp Overflow. It offers another option for camping right by the reservoir. For boaters, D&J Marina is a small marina on the north side of the lake. They also have a place where you can launch your boat.
Why the Water Level Changes
The water level in Otis Reservoir changes throughout the year. It's usually lowered by about 10 feet (3 meters) during the winter months. This is done to prevent ice from damaging docks and other structures built around the lake.
In the spring, the reservoir fills up again. This happens from melting snow and water from underground springs. The lake usually reaches its full level by late spring. However, in some years, if there isn't much snow or rain, the water level might stay a bit lower than usual. This yearly change in water helps keep the lake water very clean and healthy.
History of Homes by the Lake
In the early 1900s, more and more people started owning cars. This made it easier for families to travel. Because of this, many small vacation homes, called cottages, were built along the lake shore. These cottages were often quite affordable. Many middle-class families, like bankers, barbers, and builders, bought them for weekend getaways or summer vacations.
Starting in the 1980s, a new trend began. People started buying these older cottages and making them much bigger and fancier. Sometimes, they would even tear down the old cottage and build a brand new, expensive second home. This trend is still happening today. Many people from Connecticut and New York use these homes as places to relax on weekends or during holidays. Some people have even turned their vacation cottages into homes where they live all year round.
