Richardson Lakes (Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Richardson Lakes |
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 Richardson Lakes
Location in Maine
Richardson Lakes
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oxford County, Maine |
| Coordinates | 44°47′N 70°54′W / 44.783°N 70.900°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Mooselookmeguntic Lake |
| Primary outflows | Rapid River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 14 mi (23 km) |
| Max. width | 1.4 mi (2.3 km) |
| Surface area | 7,751 acres (3,137 ha) |
| Max. depth | 108 feet (33 m) |
| Water volume | 147,096 acre⋅ft (181,440,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
The Richardson Lakes are two large lakes in Maine, USA. They are called Upper Richardson Lake and Lower Richardson Lake. These lakes are connected and act like one big body of water. They are actually a type of lake called a reservoir. A reservoir is a large lake used to store water.
The lakes are held together by a structure called Middle Dam. This dam is located where the water flows out into the Rapid River. The Rapid River then travels about 5 kilometers (3 miles) to Umbagog Lake. Umbagog Lake is a main source for the Androscoggin River.
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Where Are the Richardson Lakes Located?
Upper Richardson Lake is in the western part of Richardsontown township. Lower Richardson Lake is on the edge of Magalloway Plantation and Maine township C. Both are found in Oxford County, Maine.
How Water Enters and Leaves the Lakes
The main way water flows into the Richardson Lakes is from Mooselookmeguntic Lake. This water comes over a structure called Upper Dam.
Many smaller streams also feed into the lakes. These streams are called tributaries. Some of these include Mill Brook, Fish Brook, and Beaver Brook. These brooks drain water from other smaller ponds nearby. Other small streams like Rand Brook, Mosquito Brook, Metallak Brook, and Bailey Brook also add water to the lakes.
Fish Life in the Lakes
The Richardson Lakes are a great home for adult trout. Trout are a type of fish that live in freshwater. However, the dams on the lakes affect the fish. Because of the dams, there are not enough good places for fish to lay their eggs. These areas are called spawning and nursery areas. This means the number of fish is limited.
Visiting the Richardson Lakes
The Richardson Lakes are a popular spot for outdoor activities. There are places where you can launch a boat.
Accessing the Boat Launches
- You can find a public boat launch at the north end of Upper Richardson Lake. It is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off Maine State Route 16.
- Another boat launch is at the south end of Lower Richardson Lake. To get there, you drive about 19 kilometers (12 miles) north from Andover on South Arm Road.
