Webster Lake the Lake with the Longest Name

Lake Chaubunagungamaug*, also known as Webster Lake, is a lake found in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, United States. It is located close to the Connecticut border and has a surface area of 1,442 acres (5.84 km²)

_{*This name is the one the US Department of Interiors calls the lake, even with the disputes to the longer name.}

Located in the state of Massachusetts, USA lies a destination unlike any other. Thanks to our native friends who first made homes, lived, and fished we get an original name for this lake. The lake's name is:

Lake_Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg

Yes, thats the real name of this lake. The lake was named by the Nipmuc Indians that settled the area long ago. The lake's name comes from Nipmuc, an Algonquian language, and is said to mean, "Fishing Place at the Boundaries -- Neutral Meeting Grounds". This was the pact between the Nipmuc and the Mohegan Indians. The biggest running joke about the meaning is "You fish on your side, I fish on my side, and nobody fish in the middle". While the lake has different names, the longest one is the one most people in the area recognize as being true

Webster Lake is a 1,442-acre lake with a 17 mile shoreline. It is found in close proximity to the current day Connecticut border. Webster Lake is one of the top 5 biggest lakes in Massachusetts. On currently lake status in MA, this is the 2nd largest natural lake because it is spring-fed (and also collects vast amounts of water runoff from the surrounding land). The largest lake is Long Pond in Lakeville, MA at 1,721 acres. For most parts the depth of the lake is 13 feet and the maximum depth is around 45 feet . The lakes depth makes it ideal for fish to breed and grow. The lake is natural in origin but its outlet has a dam that raises the water level by a few feet. Cranston Print Works owns the dam at the far end of the lake. The water level will be adjusted time to time depending on weather patterns for rain and forecast droughts in the area.

The Lakes

This unique lake is broken up into 3 different lakes: North Pond, Middle Pond, and South Pond. They are connected by narrow channels that are deep enough for boats to pass though - but some outboard motors might get snagged in areas. Long ago state officials wanted to close off these connections and have three different lakes - but this would only leave one lake and the others would slowly be destroyed from being cut off from the spring that feeds the lakes.There is also a vast amount of swamp around parts of the lake. Many boats have got caught in these weeds and required time consuming cutting to free the engines of these boats. Again, another trap for most motorized boats. It is strongly advised to use a jet engine if you wish to go in close to the swamps or want to pass between the lakes.

The Lake's Islands

Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg has about 8 main islands. Out of these 8 islands only a few are notiable for being used to live on, stop on, etc. Here is a look at those 6 largest:

• Long Island: The big boy of the lake, the largest of all the islands. It has alot of houses and has electric, underground/underwater municipal water and sewer service, and several fire hydrants in case of an emergency. It is located in the Middle Pond.

• Goat Island: This is the 2nd largest island on the lake. It has a couple homes and boats. It is in the Middle Pond but isolated from the rest of the islands.

• Well Island: A small island with one house west of Long Island in the Middle Pond.

• Strip Island: Generally northeast of Long Island and north of Cobble Island with one house, also found in the Middle Pond.

• Cobble Island: East of Long Island, in the Middle Pond. This island doesn't have any houses on it. It is great for fishing as some of the largest catches were around this island. It is said to believe under the island is the perfect living area for the fish.

• Little Island: In South Pond, right out of the no wake zone from the Middle Pond, has one house that is almost too big for the "Little Island".

Being a large lake Webster lake currently has two marinas and two fully functional restaurants in the area. They are as follows:

• The Lakeview Marine: This is a large full service, fully stocked marine store and service shop on Webster Lake. They feature new and used boat sales, parts and accessories, and a full-service maintenance and repair shop. Not only do they sell boats, you can also get some fishing equipment. All different kinds of lures, fly and normal fishing rods, and bait can be bought here. The bait ranges with some prices being slightly higher then normal bait shops. They specialize in live baits such as earthworms and large variety of others. Fake baits include gummy lizards, worms, and other different shapes of the same type of thing. Fishing aids are also available that float on the water.

• Point Breeze Marine: This location is both a small functioning marina that doesnt sell boats. Personal watercraft such as canoes or kayaks are sometimes rented out here for a day at a time. One of the most important parts of this marina is that Pint Breeze is the only one that has a working gas pump that can gas up boats right on the water. While gas here is much more then at a standard gas pump, thats the cost of being locally available when needed. Expect to pay on average 30-75 cents more a gallon at Point Breeze.

• Waterfront Mary's Restaurant: Waterfront Mary's is located on the middle pond and is close to the waterway to the northmost pond. Lake goers can beach their kayaks/canoes or dock their motorboats and pontoon boats depending on available dockspace. The restaurant itself has many kinds of food and drinks with a patio with great views of the largest section of the lake. They also serve a few different kinds of alcoholic drinks. Specials and a true passion for cooking great tasting food makes this restaurant one of the best around. Most photos of the lake used on postcards and other pieces of work used in gift shops for Massachusetts etc. are taken from this location. At the counter they also have lots of gift shop type items for sale, including tee shirts and hats.

• Point Breeze Restaurant: Point Breeze is found on the Middle Pond aswell. Customers can dock pontoon boats and take a staircase to the restaurant. People with canoes and kayaks will have a harder time accessing this restaurant. They have occasional live music and hold wedding functions. The food from Point Breeze is wonderful but week to week prices change dramatically. Also, private parties can be reserved here as they are excellent at catering events on the lake.

This natural treasure faces the fate that most lakes and places are. Trash, cans, and other waste is being found - maybe not purposely but carried by the wind, animals, and other ways is showing up in the lake. The lake is kept up and depends heavily on tourism (as does the town). For years now tee shirts, local schools, comedians, and nature lovers been making jokes, songs, and sharing the wonders of this lake. No other lake in the world has had as much news broadcasting and attention then this lake. With 3-5 songs, over 10 stand up jokes, and hundreds of thousands of pictures with alt text extending off the page, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is one real treasure that shouldnt be missed. It must always be a point of discussion when someone updates there facebook status or tweets "Im currently at Lake Char-gog-ga-go-gg-man-chaugg-ago-gg-chau....". More people would know about the lake if it didnt take 12 minutes to text on a cellphone! No matter what the case, the trip is worth it to make to go visit this peaceful and beautiful location in Massachusetts.