Enjoying this fascinating lake

Located in a valley area that has a series of lakes and ponds, Amherst is the third body of water in a string of 5: Woodard Reservoir, Black Pond, Amherst Lake, Echo Lake, Lake Rescue, and Lake Pauline along scenic Vermont Route 100. History will tell you that the lake is known by locals and “old timers” as Lake Amherst, but somewhere at the state level it was renamed “Amherst Lake” and so it stands. General Jeffrey Amherst and his men marched from Fort No. Four to Fort Ticonderoga during the "War of the Revolution" and on their way they camped on the north side of the lake. Several of these men returned after the war to clear the land and build their homes in this beautiful valley. Lieutenant Nathaniel Bowman Brown, one of these soldiers, built his log cabin on the Lake Amherst campsite and helped to establish the town of Saltash in 1787, which was changed to Plymouth in 1798.

Sometime in the later part of the 1800s a wooden dam was constructed at the south end of Amherst Lake. The dam was replaced in 1950 by Central Vermont Public Service.

The flood of Irene in 2011 had an impact on the lake by creating a delta and wetlands at the head of the lake where the Black River feeds the lake. This has created a unique and wonderful sanctuary for wildlife. Wildlife watchers can watch geese, ducks, loons, turtles, osprey, eagles, bullfrogs, beaver, and bobcats.

The area surface is 80 acres. The lake reaches a depth of 90 feet close to the middle and has an average depth of 60 feet. Our end of the lake has always been the shallow end and boats have always provided access to the floating dock where deeper water swimming fun and sunbathing can happen. Paddle out, basque in the sun, dive and jump. The water is clean and clear. Where the floating dock is, it is 15 feet deep. Amherst Lake offers recreation for many with fishing, swimming, sailing, rowing, paddle-boats, canoeing, and kayaking against a backdrop of beautiful hills.
The State of Vermont Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake with trout and also maintains a boat launch site and fishing access for non-residents. The lake supports both cold-water and warm-water fish. Brook trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, perch, pickerel, pan fish, bullpout, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass are caught here.

Amherst Lake is a truly unique resource. However, due to the age of its dam, it’s also one that could disappear as we have known it to be for over 140 years. The dam is currently undergoing a feasibility study by the State of Vermont to determine what happens to the dam next. The impact of the state and its study leaves many questions regarding the lake's evolution/adaption and its future.

We welcome you to enjoy Amherst Lake, and we also invite you to join the Amherstlake.org to help ensure its survival for generations to come. Become a member of “Preserve Amherst Lake” or PAL by logging onto the website amherstlake.org

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