- Assawompset Pond
Infobox lake
lake_name = Assawompset Pond
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =Lakeville, Massachusetts
coords = coord|41|50|25|N|70|55|10|W|type:waterbody_region:US_source:gnis|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = Long Pond,Pocksha Pond
outflow =Nemasket River
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|2404|acre|ha|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =Assawompset Pond is a
lake /reservoir/pond within the towns of Lakeville and Middleboro, in southeasternMassachusetts . It shares its waters with Long Pond and openly-connected withPocksha Pond . These lakes provides a source of drinking water to the city of New Bedford, the largest city in southeasternMassachusetts . At almost four square miles, it is the largest natural lake in Massachusetts.It is known in
Wampanoag as "Place of the White Stones" and is host for the largestAlewife (Herring ) run in the eastern seaboard. In the early spring theNemasket River runs black with fish heading for the spawning grounds. The area known as "Betty's Neck" was one of the Indian summer encampments, who would traverse theTaunton River andNemasket River to enter the pond. The Nemasket being known as "Where the fish are", explains the significance as a food source.The origins of the
King Philip's War started with the discovery ofJohn Sassamon 's body and the subsequent trial of his suspected murderers. His body was slipped under the ice on the pond and found the following spring. The outcome of the trial sparked the beginning of hostilities.The pond was dammed in 1894 at the Nemasket River, raised the existing water level about five feet.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.