View source for Connecticut Lakes

{{Short description|Group of four lakes in northern New Hampshire, United States}}
[[File:First_Connecticut_Lake_in_August_2019.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|View across a section of First Connecticut Lake]]
The '''Connecticut Lakes''' are a group of [[lake]]s in [[Coos County, New Hampshire|Coos County]], northern [[New Hampshire]], [[United States]], situated along the [[River source|headwaters]] of the [[Connecticut River]]. They are accessed via the northernmost segment of [[U.S. Route 3]], between the village of [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]] and the [[Canada]] port of entry south of [[Chartierville, Quebec]].  The lakes are located within the boundaries of Pittsburg, but are far from the town center.  [[Connecticut Lakes State Forest]] adjoins them.

There are four lakes: First, Second, Third and Fourth Connecticut Lake, numerically running south to north. The lakes decrease in size and increase in elevation, sequentially from first to fourth. The fourth lake is the source of the Connecticut River. The first three lakes can be viewed and accessed from U.S. Route 3, while the only access to the fourth lake is via the [[Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail]], which goes in and out of Canada. All lakes are north of the [[45th parallel north|45th parallel]].

[[Lake Francis (Murphy Dam)|Lake Francis]] lies to the south of the four Connecticut Lakes. It is a man-made [[reservoir]] and the last of the major lakes along the Connecticut River in northern New Hampshire.

==The lakes==
===First Connecticut Lake===
{{Infobox body of water
 | name = First Connecticut Lake
 | image = 
 | caption = 
 | image_bathymetry = 
|pushpin_map=New Hampshire
 | caption_bathymetry = 
 | location = [[Coos County, New Hampshire]]
 | coords = {{coord|45|5|37|N|71|14|52|W|type:waterbody_region:US}}
 | type = 
 | inflow = [[Connecticut River]]
 | outflow = Connecticut River
 | catchment = 
 | basin_countries = United States
 | length = {{convert|5.3|mi|abbr=on}}
 | width = {{convert|2.7|mi|abbr=on}}
 | area = {{convert|3071|acre|abbr=on}}
 | depth = {{convert|56|ft|abbr=on}}
 | max-depth = {{convert|163|ft|abbr=on}}
 | volume = 
 | residence_time = 
 | shore = 
 | elevation = {{convert|1638|ft|abbr=on}}
 | islands = 
 | cities = [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]]
}}
First Connecticut Lake is located in the town of [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]], {{convert|7|mi|0}} northeast of the village center.<ref name=CLR1/> At {{convert|3071|acre|ha}},<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.compositerunoff.sr.unh.edu/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803072027/http://www.granit.sr.unh.edu/|url-status=dead|title=Welcome To UNH/GRDC Composite Runoff Fields V1.0|archivedate=August 3, 2013|website=www.compositerunoff.sr.unh.edu}}</ref> it is the eighth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire.  It is the lowest in elevation and largest in surface area of the four Connecticut Lakes.

Fish species include [[Atlantic salmon|landlocked salmon]] and [[lake trout]].<ref name=CT1>{{Cite web| url=http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/firstconnecticut_pittsburg.pdf| title=First Connecticut Lake, Pittsburg| publisher=NH Fish & Game| access-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> The lake has average and maximum depths of {{convert|56|ft|m}} and {{convert|163|ft|m}}, respectively. There are three public boat launch locations,<ref name=CLR1/> and [[ice fishing]] is permitted from January through March.<ref name=CLR1>{{cite web |url=https://nhconnlakes.com/first-connecticut-lake/ |title=First Connecticut Lake |website=New Hampshire's Connecticut Lakes Region |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> Outflow of the lake into the Connecticut River is controlled via the First Lake Dam,<ref name=CLR1/> located near U.S. Route 3 at the southwestern shore.

A marker along the southwestern shore of the lake commemorates [[Luther Parker]], a historical figure of the [[Republic of Indian Stream]] in the 1830s.
{{multiple image
| align     = left
| total_width = 500
| image1    = FirstConnLake.jpg
| caption1  = Topographic map of First Connecticut Lake
| image2    = Luther_Parker_marker_at_First_Connecticut_Lake_2.jpg
| caption2  = Marker for [[Luther Parker]] at First Connecticut Lake
}}
{{Clear}}

===Second Connecticut Lake===
{{Infobox body of water
 | name = Second Connecticut Lake
 | image = 
 | caption = 
 | image_bathymetry = 
|pushpin_map=New Hampshire
 | caption_bathymetry = 
 | location = [[Coos County, New Hampshire]]
 | coords = {{coord|45|9|23|N|71|10|14|W|type:waterbody_region:US}}
 | type = 
 | inflow = [[Connecticut River]]
 | outflow = Connecticut River
 | catchment = 
 | basin_countries = United States
 | length = {{convert|3.1|mi|abbr=on}}
 | width = {{convert|1.3|mi|abbr=on}}
 | area = {{convert|1102|acre|km2|0}}
 | depth = {{convert|20|ft|abbr=on}}
 | max-depth = {{convert|63|ft|abbr=on}}
 | volume = 
 | residence_time = 
 | shore = 
 | elevation = {{convert|1866|ft|abbr=on}}
 | islands = 3
 | cities = [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]]
}}
Second Connecticut Lake, known in the past as '''Lake Carmel''',<ref name="George Merrill Drew">{{cite web| url= https://archive.org/stream/historyofcooscou00merr#page/698/mode/1up | title=History of Coos County, New Hampshire| author=George Merrill Drew|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> is a {{convert|1102|acre|ha|adj=on}}<ref name="autogenerated1"/> water body in the town of Pittsburg, {{convert|15|mi|km}} northeast of the village center.<ref name=CLR2/> The second lake is {{convert|228|ft|m}} higher in elevation than the first lake, and shallower.

Fish species include [[brook trout]], [[Atlantic salmon|landlocked salmon]], and [[lake trout]].<ref name=CT2>{{Cite web| url=http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/secondconnecticut_pittsburg.pdf| title=Second Connecticut Lake, Pittsburg| publisher=NH Fish & Game| access-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> There is one public boat launch location,<ref name=CLR2/> and [[ice fishing]] is permitted from January through March.<ref name=CLR2>{{cite web |url=https://nhconnlakes.com/second-connecticut-lake/ |title=Second Connecticut Lake |website=New Hampshire's Connecticut Lakes Region |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> Outflow of the lake into the Connecticut River is controlled via the Second Lake Dam,<ref name=CLR2/> located near U.S. Route 3 at the southwestern shore.
{{multiple image
| align     = left
| total_width = 500
| image1    = SecondConnLake.jpg
| caption1  = Topographic map of Second Connecticut Lake
| image2    = Second Connecticut Lake in August 2019.jpg
| caption2  = Second Connecticut Lake near the Second Lake Dam
}}
{{Clear}}

===Third Connecticut Lake===
{{Infobox body of water
 | name = Third Connecticut Lake
 | image = 
 | caption = 
 | image_bathymetry = 
|pushpin_map=New Hampshire
 | caption_bathymetry = 
 | location = [[Coos County, New Hampshire]]
 | coords = {{Coord|45|14|15|N|71|12|0|W|type:waterbody_region:US}}
 | type = 
 | inflow = [[Connecticut River]]
 | outflow = Connecticut River
 | catchment = 
 | basin_countries = United States
 | length = {{convert|1.1|mi|abbr=on}}
 | width = {{convert|0.5|mi|abbr=on}}
 | area = {{convert|231|acre|abbr=on}}
 | depth = {{convert|42|ft|abbr=on}}
 | max-depth = {{convert|101|ft|abbr=on}}
 | volume = 
 | residence_time = 
 | shore = 
 | elevation = {{convert|2188|ft|abbr=on}}
 | islands = 
 | cities = [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]]
}}
Third Connecticut Lake, at one time known as '''Lake St. Sophia''',<ref name="George Merrill Drew"/> is a {{convert|231|acre|ha|adj=on}}<ref name="autogenerated1"/> water body in the town of Pittsburg, situated {{convert|20|mi|km}} northeast of the village center,<ref name=CLR3/> and less than {{convert|1|mi}} south of the [[Canada–United States border|Canadian border]]. It reaches a maximum depth of approximately {{convert|100|ft}},<ref name=CT3>{{Cite web| url=http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/maps/bathymetry/thirdconnecticut_pittsburg.pdf| title=Third Connecticut Lake, Pittsburg| publisher=NH Fish & Game| access-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> and sits {{convert|322|ft|m}} higher in elevation than the second lake.

Fish species include [[rainbow trout]] and [[lake trout]].<ref name=CT3/> There is one public boat launch location,<ref name=CLR3/> off of U.S. Route 3 along the eastern shore of the lake. [[Ice fishing]] is permitted from January through March.<ref name=CLR3>{{cite web |url=https://nhconnlakes.com/third-connecticut-lake/ |title=Third Connecticut Lake |website=New Hampshire's Connecticut Lakes Region |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
{{multiple image
| align     = left
| total_width = 500
| image1    = ThirdFourthConnLake.jpg
| caption1  = Topographic map of the Third and Fourth Connecticut Lakes
| image2    = Third Connecticut Lake in August 2019.jpg
| caption2  = Third Connecticut Lake near the public boat launch along [[U.S. Route 3]]
}}

{{Clear}}

===Fourth Connecticut Lake===
{{Infobox body of water
 | name = Fourth Connecticut Lake
 | image = 
 | caption = 
 | image_bathymetry = 
 | caption_bathymetry = 
 | location = [[Coos County, New Hampshire]]
 | coords = {{coord|45|14|52|N|71|12|52|W|type:waterbody_region:US}}
 | type = 
 | inflow = 
 | outflow = [[Connecticut River]]
|pushpin_map=New Hampshire
 | catchment = 
 | basin_countries = United States
 | length = 0.1 miles (.16 km)
 | width = 
 | area = {{convert|1.8|acre|abbr=on}}
 | depth = 
 | max-depth = 
 | volume = 
 | residence_time = 
 | shore = 
 | elevation = {{convert|2670|ft|abbr=on}}
 | islands = 
 | cities = [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]]
}}
Fourth Connecticut Lake is the northernmost and most remote of the Connecticut Lakes; it is also the smallest, at {{convert|1.8|acre|ha}}. It is the source of the [[Connecticut River]], and is situated in the town of Pittsburg, {{convert|0.5|mi}} upstream from and {{convert|482|ft}} higher than Third Connecticut Lake. The fourth lake is immediately to the northwest of the third lake. The Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail leads hikers to the lake.

====Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail====
The Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail is a public trail maintained by [[The Nature Conservancy]] that criss-crosses the international border between New Hampshire and Quebec for {{convert|0.6|mi|km}} ending with a {{convert|0.5|mi|km|adj=on}} loop around the Fourth Connecticut Lake.<ref name=PDF>{{cite web |url=https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/fourthlakepreserve.pdf |title=Fourth Connecticut Lake Preserve |publisher=The Nature Conservancy |access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref> It is one of the few international trails in [[North America]]. The land surrounding the lake is owned by The Nature Conservancy.

[[File:Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail sign.jpg|left|thumb|upright=.8|Trail sign]]
The parking area for hikers is at the American facility of the [[Pittsburg–Chartierville Border Crossing]], located {{convert|22|mi|km}} north of the Pittsburg town center via U.S. Route 3.<ref name=TNC/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Pletcher |first1=Larry |title=Hiking New Hampshire: A Guide to New Hampshire's Greatest Hiking Adventures |date=May 2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4930-3459-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BIGJDwAAQBAJ&q=Fourth+Connecticut+Lake+Trail&pg=PA345 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Delorey |first1=Alan |title=A Birder's Guide to New Hampshire |year=1996 |publisher=American Birding Association |isbn=978-1-878788-11-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GtBFAAAAYAAJ&q=Fourth+Connecticut+Lake+Trail |language=en}}</ref> The trail begins about {{convert|50|yd|m}} to the right of the American building, with a small kiosk at the trailhead.<ref name=TNC>{{cite web |url=https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/fourth-connecticut-lake/?tab_q=tab_container-tab_element |title=Fourth Connecticut Lake |publisher=[[The Nature Conservancy]] |access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

The trail has no cell phone coverage, requires some non-technical climbing, and starts at a good elevation—hikers should be prepared, even in summer. Pets are not allowed on the trail, and no camping, hunting, or fishing is allowed.<ref name=PDF/>

For persons starting in the United States, [[passport]]s are not needed to hike the trail as, even though parts of the trail are in Canada, the trail starts and ends on the American side of the international border. For persons starting in Canada, a passport or other border crossing document would be required in order to enter the United States at the border facility before hiking the trail.
{{Clear}}

==Climate==

According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, First Connecticut Lake has a [[warm-summer humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded at First Connecticut Lake was {{convert|93|F|C|1}} on July 8, 1921 and July 19, 1953, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-45|F|C|1}} on February 1, 1920.<ref name=NOWData></ref>

{{Weather box
|location = First Connecticut Lake, New Hampshire, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1918–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes

|Jan record high F = 60
|Feb record high F = 64
|Mar record high F = 77
|Apr record high F = 83
|May record high F = 91
|Jun record high F = 91
|Jul record high F = 93
|Aug record high F = 92
|Sep record high F = 89
|Oct record high F = 83
|Nov record high F = 73
|Dec record high F = 63

|Jan avg record high F = 45.3
|Feb avg record high F = 47.5
|Mar avg record high F = 55.0
|Apr avg record high F = 70.5
|May avg record high F = 79.9
|Jun avg record high F = 84.5
|Jul avg record high F = 85.1
|Aug avg record high F = 83.6
|Sep avg record high F = 80.6
|Oct avg record high F = 71.6
|Nov avg record high F = 61.1
|Dec avg record high F = 49.4
|year avg record high F = 87.0

|Jan high F = 22.4
|Feb high F = 25.2
|Mar high F = 34.2
|Apr high F = 47.1
|May high F = 61.5
|Jun high F = 70.4
|Jul high F = 75.0
|Aug high F = 73.6
|Sep high F = 66.4
|Oct high F = 52.8
|Nov high F = 39.9
|Dec high F = 28.7
|year high F = 

|Jan mean F = 11.1
|Feb mean F = 12.8
|Mar mean F = 21.9
|Apr mean F = 36.3
|May mean F = 49.9
|Jun mean F = 59.3
|Jul mean F = 64.2
|Aug mean F = 62.7
|Sep mean F = 55.1
|Oct mean F = 43.5
|Nov mean F = 31.8
|Dec mean F = 19.9
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = -0.3
|Feb low F = 0.4
|Mar low F = 9.6
|Apr low F = 25.5
|May low F = 38.3
|Jun low F = 48.3
|Jul low F = 53.4
|Aug low F = 51.7
|Sep low F = 43.9
|Oct low F = 34.1
|Nov low F = 23.7
|Dec low F = 11.1
|year low F = 

|Jan avg record low F = -27.0
|Feb avg record low F = -24.6
|Mar avg record low F = -18.5
|Apr avg record low F = 6.6
|May avg record low F = 25.1
|Jun avg record low F = 32.6
|Jul avg record low F = 40.7
|Aug avg record low F = 38.4
|Sep avg record low F = 28.7
|Oct avg record low F = 19.6
|Nov avg record low F = 4.6
|Dec avg record low F = -14.0
|year avg record low F = -30.0

|Jan record low F = -44
|Feb record low F = -45
|Mar record low F = -36
|Apr record low F = -17
|May record low F = 14
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 29
|Aug record low F = 28
|Sep record low F = 18
|Oct record low F = 8
|Nov record low F = -13
|Dec record low F = -44

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.02
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.37
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.04
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.60
|May precipitation inch = 4.47
|Jun precipitation inch = 5.14
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.91
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.76
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.00
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.63
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.62
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.57
|year precipitation inch = 

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 18.3
|Feb precipitation days = 14.6
|Mar precipitation days = 15.2
|Apr precipitation days = 15.0
|May precipitation days = 14.6
|Jun precipitation days = 15.2
|Jul precipitation days = 14.8
|Aug precipitation days = 14.1
|Sep precipitation days = 12.1
|Oct precipitation days = 15.5
|Nov precipitation days = 16.7
|Dec precipitation days = 19.3

|Jan snow inch = 30.3
|Feb snow inch = 28.4
|Mar snow inch = 24.6
|Apr snow inch = 9.7
|May snow inch = 1.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 2.5
|Nov snow inch = 14.6
|Dec snow inch = 31.9
|year snow inch = 143.0

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 16.8
|Feb snow days = 13.5
|Mar snow days = 11.5
|Apr snow days = 5.3
|May snow days = 0.7
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 1.7
|Nov snow days = 8.6
|Dec snow days = 15.5

|Jan snow depth inch = 22.3
|Feb snow depth inch = 27.9
|Mar snow depth inch = 29.4
|Apr snow depth inch = 16.9
|May snow depth inch = 0.9
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 1.2
|Nov snow depth inch = 6.9
|Dec snow depth inch = 14.9
|year snow depth inch = 30.6

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00272999&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: First Connecticut Lake, NH
|access-date = February 1, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=gyx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Gray/Portland
|access-date = February 1, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Connecticut Lakes Natural Area==
[[File:ConnLakes.jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt=the Connecticut Lakes|[[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] map of First, Second, and Third Connecticut Lakes (bottom to top)]]
The {{convert|25000|acre}} surrounding the lakes was set aside as a [[Environmental preservation|land conservation]] project in 2002 by the [[New Hampshire Fish and Game Department]].  The protected area is within the towns of [[Clarksville, New Hampshire|Clarksville]] and [[Pittsburg, New Hampshire|Pittsburg]], up to the border with [[Canada]].<ref>[http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/WMAs/WMA_CT_Lakes_Natural_Area.html New Hampshire Wildlife Management Areas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125205953/http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/WMAs/WMA_CT_Lakes_Natural_Area.html |date=2012-01-25 }}. Wildlife.state.nh.us. Retrieved on 2013-08-21.</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|New Hampshire}}
*[[List of lakes in New Hampshire]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty3CIGBSHt8 Summer at First Connecticut Lake in Pittsburg, NH Aerial view in 4K] via YouTube
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqaoH2hKXkI 4th Connecticut Lake - US/Canada Border Hike] via YouTube
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLW1qhQZwGA The Crumbling, Leaking Dam at the first Connecticut Lake] via YouTube

{{Connecticut River|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lake groups of the United States]]
[[Category:Lakes of Coös County, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Pittsburg, New Hampshire]]
[[Category:Connecticut River]]
[[Category:New Hampshire placenames of Native American origin]]