Spofford Lake
| Spofford Lake | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Location | Cheshire County, New Hampshire |
| Coordinates | 42°54′44″N 72°26′34″W / 42.91222°N 72.44278°WCoordinates: 42°54′44″N 72°26′34″W / 42.91222°N 72.44278°W |
| Primary outflows | Partridge Brook |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2.0 mi (3.2 km) |
| Max. width | 1.0 mi (1.6 km) |
| Surface area | 732 acres (2.96 km2) |
| Average depth | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Surface elevation | 715 ft (218 m) |
| Islands | Pierces Island |
| Settlements | Spofford (town of Chesterfield) |
Spofford Lake is a 732-acre (2.96 km2) water body located in Cheshire County in southwestern New Hampshire, United States, in the town of Chesterfield. Water from Spofford Lake flows via Partridge Brook to the Connecticut River. In 2005 the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department named it the cleanest lake in southwestern New Hampshire, despite the amount of motor boating. The village of Spofford is located at the lake's outlet.
A popular recreational destination during the late 19th century, the lake figured in a tragedy that received notice well outside its rural environs. On May 26, 1882, while on tour with a company organized by Clara Louise Kellogg, the 19-year-old classical pianist Herman Rietzel, already a concert veteran and considered to be well-launched on a promising career, joined George Conly, a bass singer with the company, for a pleasure outing on the lake. Later that day, their rowboat was found capsized; Reitzel's body was not recovered until the following June 7, and Conly's not until a week later still.
Actor-comedian George Carlin spent several summers at Camp Notre Dame on Spofford Lake (along with SNL director Dave "Wacky" Wilson and New Yorker cartoonist Leo Cullum-the camp was owned by the Cullum family) in his childhood; after his death in 2008, he was cremated and part of his ashes were scattered in the lake.
Ware's Grove and North Shore are two municipal beaches on the lake. North Shore is for residents only, while Wares Grove, near the southwest end of the lake, along New Hampshire Route 9A, has an entrance fee and is open to the general public. A state-maintained boat ramp is available to the west of Wares Grove, affording access to Pierces Island, managed by the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands and offering hiking trails. Pine Grove Springs Country Club is a golf course in Spofford next to the lake.
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