Swan Pond, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swan Pond
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 Swan Pond
Location in West Virginia
Swan Pond
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Berkeley |
| Elevation | 456 ft (139 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1549947 |
Swan Pond is a small, unincorporated community located in Berkeley County, West Virginia, in the United States. It gets its name from a nearby body of water, the Swan Pond reservoir. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's usually managed by the county.
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What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live that does not have its own separate local government. This means it is not a city or a town with its own mayor or city council. Instead, the area is governed by the larger county it is part of.
How are Unincorporated Communities Managed?
- County Services: Services like police, fire, and road maintenance are usually provided by the county government.
- No Local Taxes: Residents do not pay separate city or town taxes. They only pay county and state taxes.
- Flexibility: These areas can grow and change without needing to follow strict city rules.
Where is Swan Pond Located?
Swan Pond is found in the eastern part of West Virginia. This state is known for its beautiful mountains and forests.
Berkeley County, West Virginia
Swan Pond is specifically located in Berkeley County. This county is in the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia. It is one of the oldest counties in the state.
- History: Berkeley County was created way back in 1772. It was named after Norborne Berkeley, who was a royal governor.
- Nearby Cities: The county seat, which is like the main city, is Martinsburg.
The Swan Pond Reservoir
The community of Swan Pond is named after the Swan Pond reservoir. A reservoir is a large, artificial lake used to store water.
What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is often created by building a dam across a river or stream. This holds back the water, forming a lake.
- Water Supply: Reservoirs are very important. They provide drinking water for people and can also be used for irrigation on farms.
- Recreation: Sometimes, reservoirs are also used for fun activities like fishing or boating.
It is likely that the Swan Pond reservoir was named because swans were once common there, or perhaps because of its graceful appearance.
