Lake Chaffee is a small, shallow, man-made lake located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the hamlet of Westford in the town of Ashford in Windham County, northeastern Connecticut. The lake has an area of 54 acres (22 ha) and a maximum depth of 11 feet (3.4 m). Its average surface elevation is 856 feet (261 m) above sea level.[1]

Lake Chaffee
Lake Chaffee
Lake Chaffee is located in Connecticut
Lake Chaffee
Lake Chaffee
Location within Connecticut
LocationAshford, Connecticut, United States of America
Coordinates41°56′20″N 72°11′40″W / 41.93887°N 72.19442°W / 41.93887; -72.19442
TypeArtificial
Primary inflowsIntermittent streams, runoff
Primary outflowsChaffee Brook
Catchment area284 acres (115 ha)
Basin countriesUnited States of America (Connecticut)
Managing agencyLake Chaffee Improvement Association
Surface area54 acres (22 ha)
Average depth6 ft (1.8 m)[1]
Max. depth11 ft (3.4 m)[1]
Residence timeNearly six months
Shore length18,400 ft (2,600 m) (excluding islands)
Surface elevation856 ft (261 m)
FrozenDecember through March (most winters)
Islands2
References[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

History

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Lake Chaffee was formed sometime prior to 1934 by damming a small stream named Chaffee Brook. Before the dam was built, wetlands existed where the pond is now.[1]

Description

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Lake Chaffee's inflows consist of several intermittent small streams and runoff, and its outlet is Chaffee Brook, which flows east to the Mount Hope River. The lake's waters are held back by a 300-foot-long (91 m) earthen dam; Chaffee Brook exits the lake via a 10-foot-long (3.0 m) concrete spillway in the middle of this dam. Lake Chaffee's watershed is approximately 284 acres (115 ha) in area. It takes nearly six months for the lake's water to be completely exchanged. The lake has approximately 8,400 feet (2,600 m) of shoreline, disregarding the lake's two islands.[1]

Development

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Today, Lake Chaffee is surrounded by a high-density area of houses which overlook the water. The houses are part of the Lake Chaffee census-designated place for statistical purposes.

Recreation

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Lake Chaffee is home to two beaches and a boat launch, which are open to lake residents. Swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and skating are popular activities on the lake. Use of gasoline-powered engines is not permitted on, over, or above Lake Chaffee.[1]

Flora and fauna

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Lake Chaffee is an excellent fishery, with a healthy population of largemouth bass, black crappie, chain pickerel, and yellow perch. The largemouth bass average in the two-pound class, with larger fish in the four- to six-pound class being common.[2]

Lake Chaffee is home to abundant aquatic vegetation, which occasionally must be harvested to enable recreational activities.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Lake Chaffee Improvement Association".
  2. ^ Lake Chaffee. Fishing.[dead link]

41°56′19″N 72°11′44″W / 41.9385°N 72.1956°W / 41.9385; -72.1956