Lake Chaffee


Lake Chaffee is a small, shallow, man-made lake located approximately northwest of the hamlet of Westford in the town of Ashford in Windham County, northeastern Connecticut. The lake has an area of 54 acres and a maximum depth of 11 feet. Its average surface elevation is about 800 feet above sea level.

History

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.

Description

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

Development

Today, Lake Chaffee is surrounded by a high-density area of houses which overlook the water.

Recreation

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.

Flora and fauna

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 2 pound class, with larger fish in the 4 to 6 pound class being common.
Lake Chaffee is also home to abundant aquatic vegetation, which occasionally must be harvested to enable recreational activities.