Lake Utopia (New Brunswick)

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Utopia
image_lake = Lake Utopia, New Brunswick, Canada.jpg
caption_lake = Lake Utopia from the south 7/7/02
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location = Charlotte County, New Brunswick
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basin_countries = Canada
length = 7 km
width = 2.8 km
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Lake Utopia is located in eastern Charlotte County, New Brunswick.

The southern shore of the lake is one kilometer northeast of the town of St. George. The lake is connected to the Magaguadavic River by the second deepest natural canal in the world.

Lake Utopia is a popular recreation destination for eastern Charlotte County with swimming, boating and fishing being popular among year-round residents and cottage-goers. Fish in the lake include smallmouth bass, trout, perch and river eels.

Lake Utopia is approximately 7 kilometers long and between 0.8 and 2.8 kilometers in width. The lake level varies throughout the year, as more or less water is allowed through a hydroelectric dam on the Maguadavic River in St. George. The lake is surrounded by mixed Acadian forest and its shoreline is dotted by both rustic camps and large summer homes.

Canal Beach is the major swimming destination on the lake's western shore. It occupies a 0.5 kilometer stretch of shoreline and the town of St. George's recreation department has placed white sand for swimmers and sunbathers.

Immediately north of Canal Beach is the natural canal which connects the lake to the Magaguadavic River. Canal Beach is equipped with a beach volleyball court, a playground, a canteen, washrooms and changing rooms.

On the eastern shore of the lake is a smaller, less popular swimming location called Scout's Beach (named after a Scouts Canada camp at that location). Scout's Beach is known locally as a "party spot" and the beach is host to two or three large gatherings every summer.

Lake monster

Local legend has it that the Lake is inhabited by a sea monster known as the Lake Utopia Lake Monster. The story goes that long ago two Maliseet Natives were canoing on the lake when suddenly the monster appeared and chased them from one end to the other. Since the arrival of Europeans to the area in the late 1700's, the story has continued, with new sightings being reported every few years.

As noted in research by cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, the locals have called this cryptid "Old Ned." It has a decidedly long and bulky cetacean appearance, and may be representative of an unknown group of animals that travel back and forth between Lake Utopia and the Atlantic Ocean in routine cycles related to breeding and feeding.

References

*"The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep" with Patrick Huyghe (NY: Tarcher-Penguin, 2003, ISBN 1-58542-252-5)