Sheldrake Lake (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheldrake Lake |
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 Sheldrake Lake
Location in New York
Sheldrake Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Rochelle, New York |
| Coordinates | 40°57′07″N 073°46′23″W / 40.95194°N 73.77306°W |
| Catchment area | 2.66 sq mi (6.9 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 129 ft (39 m) |
Sheldrake Lake is a lake made by people. It is located in New Rochelle, a city in Westchester County, New York. The lake covers about 25 acres of land. A long time ago, it was the main water source for the nearby village of Larchmont.
Sheldrake Lake was created by a Dam built on the Sheldrake River. This dam was constructed in 1935. It is made of stone and is about 31 feet (9.4 meters) tall. The dam is also very long, stretching about 1,000 feet (305 meters).
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How Sheldrake Lake Was Formed
The Sheldrake River has always been important for its water power. In the 1700s, a group called Quakers lived in New Rochelle. They were the first to use the river's power.
In 1754, a man named Nehemiah Palmer built a sawmill where the lake is now. This mill helped cut wood. He later gave the mill to his grandson, Drake Palmer. In 1774, Drake Palmer sold the mill to his brother, Aaron Palmer. Aaron then added a gristmill, which was used to grind grain into flour. Both mills worked for over 100 years.
In 1876, the mill dam was made bigger. This helped create a larger pond. The pond was then used for the ice industry. People would cut ice from the pond in winter. Later, a man named Charles H. Murray bought the mills. He helped the Larchmont Water Company use the site.
Building the Water Supply
By the 1880s, the people in Larchmont needed more water. Their old wells were not enough. So, the Larchmont Water Company bought the pond that was there. They also bought Sheldrake Pond, which was a smaller water body. This smaller pond is where Sheldrake Lake is today.
The company laid water pipes from the pond to Larchmont. These pipes followed a path that is now Murray Avenue. In 1889, clean water from the Sheldrake River started flowing into Larchmont.
In 1893, the water company bought more land around Sheldrake Pond. This allowed them to raise the water level of the pond by over 24 feet. In 1897, they started digging to make the pond even bigger. By 1900, skilled stonemasons from Italy began building a large dam and spillway. This big project was finished in 1903.
The Sheldrake River's Path
The Sheldrake River starts in areas of Scarsdale and New Rochelle. It flows into Sheldrake Lake. It also supplies a smaller pond called Goodliffe Pond, which is to the east of Sheldrake Lake.
After the lake, the river flows under Weaver Street. It then goes through Mamaroneck Town. Finally, it joins the larger Mamaroneck River. The Mamaroneck River then flows into Mamaroneck Harbor and the Long Island Sound.
Protecting Sheldrake Lake
Today, Sheldrake Lake is part of a 60-acre conservancy. This means the area is permanently protected. It cannot be built on or developed.
The lake is very important for the communities nearby. It provides a special home for many animals. It is also a great place for people to study nature and enjoy outdoor activities. You can often see ducks and Canada geese living at the lake.
