Big Pond (Massachusetts)
| Big Pond | |
|---|---|
Big Pond Big Pond | |
| Location | Berkshire County, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 42°11′36″N 73°02′31″W / 42.1934313°N 73.0419565°W[1] |
| Max. length | 0.93 mi (1.5 km) |
| Surface area | 330 acres (130 ha) |
| Average depth | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Max. depth | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,470 ft (450 m)[1] |
| References | [2] |
Big Pond is a 330-acre (130 ha) lake located in Otis, Massachusetts. The lake is popular for boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, snowmobiling, camping, and water-related recreation. Fish include lake trout, bass, white perch, yellow perch, catfish, and bluegills. Big Pond is stocked with trout by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.[3]
The Big Pond Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that oversees a number of activities throughout the year. In addition, the association has an active weed watcher program to identify invasive plant species and raises awareness of the threat.
On July 25, 1919, Big Pond was the site of the drowning of 11 boys and young men of the Springfield Boys' Club.[4] A group of about 60 boys had been crossing the pond in several canoes and small boats when a squall swamped a rowboat.[4] Efforts to save the boys were hindered by confusion and panic.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Big Pond". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Otis Reservoir Diagnostic / Feasibility Study" (PDF). mass.gov. 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2012 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Trout Stocking Report". mass.gov. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Boats Upset, 11 Boys Drown". The Boston Globe. July 26, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via newspapers.com.