Spofford Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Spofford Lake
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Cheshire County, New Hampshire
coords = coord|42|54|44|N|72|26|34|W|type:waterbody_region:US|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow = Partridge Brook
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length = convert|2.0|mi|abbr=on|lk=on
width = convert|1.0|mi|abbr=on|lk=on
area = convert|739|acre|km2
depth =
max-depth = convert|60|ft|abbr=on|lk=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 218 meters
islands = Pierces Island
cities = Chesterfield (village of Spofford)

Spofford Lake is a convert|739|acre|km2|sing=on [ [http://www.granit.sr.unh.edu New Hampshire GRANIT database] ] water body located in Cheshire County in southwestern New Hampshire, in the town of Chesterfield. Water from Spofford Lake flows via Partridge Brook to the Connecticut River. In 2005 the NH Department of Fish and Game named it the cleanest lake in southwestern New Hampshire, despite the amount of motor boating. The village of Spofford is located at the lake's outlet.

A popular recreational destination during the late 19th century, the lake figured in a tragedy that received notice well outside its rural environs. On May 26, 1882, while on tour with a company organized by Clara Louise Kellogg, the 19-year-old classical pianist Herman Rietzel, already a concert veteran and considered to be well-launched on a promising career, joined George Conly, a bass singer with the company, for a pleasure outing on the lake. Later that day, their rowboat was found capsized; [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9903E3D7113EE433A2575BC2A9639C94639FD7CF "George Conly's Sad Fate: Drowned in a New Hampshire Lake with Young Herman Rietzel, the Pianist,"] "The New York Times", May 28, 1882] Reitzel's body was not recovered until the following June 7 ["Herman Rietzel's Body Found," "The New York Times", June 8, 1882] , and Conly's not until a week later still.

A portion of George Carlin's ashes were scattered here in 2008 after his cremation.Fact|date=August 2008

References