Maranacook Lake

Maranacook Lake is a lake in Kennebec County, Maine located in the towns of Readfield and Winthrop. The lake covers 1,673 acres (677 ha) with a maximum depth of 118 feet (36 m) and a mean depth of 30 feet (9.1 m).[2][3] It is one of the major bodies of water in the Winthrop Lakes Region.

Maranacook Lake
Location of Maranacook Lake in Maine, USA.
Location of Maranacook Lake in Maine, USA.
Maranacook Lake
Location of Maranacook Lake in Maine, USA.
Location of Maranacook Lake in Maine, USA.
Maranacook Lake
LocationKennebec County, Maine
Coordinates44°20′44″N 69°57′23″W[1]
Lake typeMesotrophicic, reservoir[1]
Primary inflowsTingley Brook, Beaver Brook, Roseanne Brook, Dead Stream
Primary outflowsAnnabessacook Lake, Cobbosseecontee Lake, Cobbosseecontee Stream, Kennebec River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area1,673 acres (677 ha)
Average depth30 ft (9.1 m)
Max. depth118 ft (36 m)
Water volume48,020 acre⋅ft (59,230,000 m3)
Surface elevation374 ft (114 m)
SettlementsReadfield and Winthrop
Maranacook Lake from Green Street, Winthrop c. 1905

Water supply

Maranacook Lake serves as the secondary drinking water supply for Winthrop, Maine. The area around Maranacook Lake that is not developed is mainly forest and fairly level ground used for agriculture. Maranacook Lake is fed primarily by four perennial streams: Tingley Brook from the northeast, Beaver Brook from the east, Roseanne Brook from the west, and Dead Stream from the northwest. Dead Stream is the main outlet from Torsey Pond to Maranacook Lake's west. Annabessacook Lake is the main outlet, but the lake also feeds Cobbosseecontee Lake and Cobbosseecontee Stream, as well as the Kennebec River.

  • Maranacook Lodge and launch
    Maranacook Lodge and launch

Recreation

A popular and historic recreation area and tourist attraction, Maranacook is heavily developed with many summer homes, rental cabins, and year-round residences. Known as one of the cleanest bodies of water in Maine, the lake belongs to the Cobbossee Watershed, and is monitored by the Maranacook Lake Association. The North Basin in Readfield is roughly 700 acres (280 ha) and shallow, with a homothermous quality. The roughly 1,000 acres (400 ha) South Basin in Winthrop is deeper and colder. Maranacook Lake Upper Dam is a recent addition to the area. Constructed in 1995, the concrete dam is found at the southeastern tail of the lake in Winthrop. The dam's creation has helped regulate water levels as well as in associated local bodies of water, and it has slowed erosion on the shores of the lake.

  • Camps on the lake
    Camps on the lake

Fishing

The lake is known for its populations of smallmouth and largemouth bass, and smelt.

  • Paddlers on the lake
    Paddlers on the lake

Camp

The lake is home to the popular day camp in Readfield, Camp KV.

References
  1. "Maranacook Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021.
  2. "Maranacook Lake" (PDF). Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  3. "Lakes of Maine - Lake Overview - Maranacook Lake - Readfield, Winthrop, Kennebec, Maine". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
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