Assawompset Pond

Assawompset Pond
1893 Map of Assawompset Pond
Assawompset Pond Show map of Massachusetts Assawompset Pond Show map of the United States
Location	Lakeville and Middleboro, Massachusetts
Coordinates	41°50′25″N 70°55′10″W / 41.84028°N 70.91944°W / 41.84028; -70.91944
Type	reservoir/lake
Primary inflows	Long Pond, Pocksha Pond
Primary outflows	Nemasket River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	2,404 acres (973 ha)
Surface elevation	52 ft (16 m)[1]

Assawompset Pond is a reservoir/pond within the towns of Lakeville and Middleboro, in southeastern Massachusetts. It shares its waters with Long Pond and is openly connected with Pocksha Pond.^[2] These lakes provide a source of drinking water to the city of New Bedford, the largest city in southeastern Massachusetts. At almost four square miles (10 km²), it is the largest natural lake in Massachusetts.

It is known in Wampanoag as Place of the White Stones and is host for the largest alewife (herring) run in the eastern seaboard. In the early spring the Nemasket River runs black with fish heading for the spawning grounds. The area known as Betty's Neck was one of the summer encampments for Native Americans who would traverse the Taunton River and Nemasket River to enter the pond. The Nemasket, being known as Where the fish are, explains the significance as a food source.

King Philip's War began with the discovery of John Sassamon's body and the subsequent trial of his suspected murderers. His body was slipped under the ice on Assawompset Pond and found the following spring. The outcome of the trial sparked the beginning of hostilities.

The pond was dammed in 1894 at the Nemasket River, which raised the water level about five feet (1.5 m).

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  Assawomsett Pond in Lakeville