Shenipsit Lake known locally as "The Snip", is a natural lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

 used as a water storage facility with a water size of 522.8 acres (2.1 km²) located in Tolland County, Connecticut

Tolland County, Connecticut

Tolland County is a county located in the northeastern part of Connecticut. As of 2010, the population was 152,691.Counties in Connecticut have no governmental function: all legal power is vested in the state, city, and town governments...

, bordering the towns of Ellington

Ellington, Connecticut

Ellington is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. Ellington was incorporated in May, 1786, from East Windsor. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 12,921...

, Tolland

Tolland, Connecticut

Tolland is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,146 at the 2000 census.Tolland was named in May, 1715, and incorporated in May, 1722. According to some, the town derives its name from being a toll station on the old road between Boston and New York. ...

 and the Rockville section of Vernon, Connecticut

Vernon, Connecticut

Vernon is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 29,179 at the 2010 census.Vernon was incorporated in October, 1808, from Bolton. Vernon contains the former city of Rockville, incorporated in January, 1889. The town of Vernon and city of Rockville consolidated as a...

, at 41°53′4.7"N 72°25′34"W. It is the source of the Hockanum River

Hockanum River

The Hockanum River is a river in Connecticut. The Hockanum neighborhood in East Hartford is named after it.It rises at the outlet of Shenipsit Lake in Rockville, then flows through Vernon, Manchester, and East Hartford...

.

History

Native American trails pass directly by Shenipsit Lake. The trails were used by early European settlers to proceed from the East towards the Connecticut River

Connecticut River

The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...

. The trail exists in parts unpaved near the lake.

External links

• Water Quality Assessment