Massabesic Lake

Massabesic Lake
Massabesic Lake's easternmost point, about 1920
Location	Rockingham County and Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Coordinates	42°59′50″N 71°22′25″W / 42.99722°N 71.37361°W / 42.99722; -71.37361Coordinates: 42°59′50″N 71°22′25″W / 42.99722°N 71.37361°W / 42.99722; -71.37361
Primary inflows	Sucker Brook
Primary outflows	tributary of Cohas Brook
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	5.6 miles (9.0 km)
Max. width	1.3 miles (2.1 km)
Surface area	2,560 acres (10.4 km2)
Average depth	17 ft (5.2 m)
Max. depth	50 ft (15 m)
Surface elevation	251 feet (77 m)
Islands	Browns Island; Fletcher Island; Birch Island; Grape Islands; Loon Island; Picnic Island; numerous small islands
Settlements	Manchester; Auburn

Massabesic Lake is a lake in southern New Hampshire, United States, covering about 2,560 acres (1,040 ha) (equivalent to about 4 sq mi or 10 km²) within the city of Manchester and the town of Auburn. Because it provides drinking water for Manchester, swimming and water skiing are not allowed there. Popular sports on the lake are sailing, fishing, and kayaking. The recreational trails along the lake provide beautiful views of the lake and the town of Auburn.

Besides flowing into the Manchester water system, the lake's water feeds Cohas Brook, leading to the Merrimack River. Massabesic is a Native American name meaning "place of much water" or "near the great brook."

The lake is classified as a cold- and warmwater fishery.

Native American legends claim that the famous New Hampshire chief Passaconaway died on Lake Massabesic. A settler reported that the elder chief was headed towards Loon Island on the east side of the lake, which was "a place of fond memories of the aged chief's young past." When he was in the north part of the lake, a thunderstorm was being formed, which "was a sign of the presence of the Great Spirit." Then, a lightning bolt hit the canoe in which Passaconaway was riding in, and he and the canoe were disintegrated instantly.