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History of Lake Iroquois

Lake Iroquois (formerly known as Hinesburg pond) is geologically a kettle pond located in a valley between Dow and Magee Hills on the east, and Mount Prichard on the west.  It lies in the Lake Champlain watershed and is bordered by the towns of Williston, Hinesburg, Richmond, and St. George.

The lake was formed after the last ice coverage in Vermont receded about 15,000 years ago.  Over the years, the lake has naturally become more eutrophic, and it has been the site of significant human development and use in the last 150 years.  By 1900, settlers had cleared most of the pond’s watershed for farming and began to build seasonal camps on its shores. A hundred years later, much of the watershed is reforested but most of the shoreline has been developed with over 90 summer camps and year-round homes.

A dam built on the lake’s outlet in the mid-1800s was used to control the water supply to mills downstream in Hinesburg. Milling declined in the 20th century and in the 1960s the dam was intentionally cemented in its top position, keeping the pond at its current level throughout the year. Approximately 32 streams flow into the lake on the north, east and west sides, the largest being the one that flows in from the northwest section (crossing Beebe Lane). There are also several streams that bubble up from the lake bottom. The outflow of the lake is over the dam in the south end.  The outlet stream flows into Sunset Lake in Hinesburg, and then into the LaPlatte River and into Lake Champlain.

The lake is used extensively throughout the year by residents and by visitors. The Lake Iroquois Recreation District (LIRD) maintains the public beach at the north end of the lake. The LIRD also maintains a trail network on the land around the lake. The trails are accessible from the beach parking lot. The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains the fishing access and boat ramp, also at the north end of the lake, which provides public access to the lake for boating and fishing.

Lake Surface Area: 247 acres
Drainage Basin Area: 2, 418 acres
Maximum Depth: 37 ft.
Average Depth: 19 ft.
Elevation: 685 ft.