Lake Activities


	"The Lake" was created in 1937-1940 as part of the US 1 Route construction. See the historical section for more details. Up through 1993 there was active commercial trapping of eels. In the 1980’s and from 1997 the Lower Lake has supported various oyster aquaculture operations. (See photos, taken by Ed Benedikt.) Since 1997, most of the lake has been open to shellfish harvesting and it is considered a prime source for commercial harvesting of quahogs. The installation of a sloping ramp at the Bath Road causeway improved fish migration between the lower estuary and the lake on a 24 hour basis. Harbor Seals and even stripers have been recorded. WALKING THE OLD CANAL ROUTE between the Kennebec and New Meadows Rivers. A new annual Winter event seems to have been established. The route of the old Peterson Canal can only be comfortably traversed when the ground and water are frozen. In 2008 the hike date is set for February 10th at Noon. For a report from a 2004 hiker, see below.
________________________________ >	__________________________________________ A RECENT PETERSON CANAL WALK NARRATIVE This is a report from two West Bath residents who walked the route of the old canal during the winter of 2003-04. For map of old canal see Twice A Day Island. "We took the canal walk on Sunday, February 1. We parked on the Old Brunswick Road , watched the cars racing around on the Lake for a bit and headed up the frozen creek. We walked the length of the canal on ice mostly, through some scrub brush and cattails as well. After we got to the Kennebec River, we walked back around on the North Bath Road to the Ridge Road, then down the Old Country Road back to the canal and then back to the New Meadows Lake. All in all I estimated that it was approximatly five miles round trip. Here are some photos shown in the sequence in which they were taken. Thanks again for getting me interested in the old canal. It was a nice walk." (Photos by P.M.)