Strafford: Bow Lake, Nature and History

Strafford offers natural and historical attractions to explore according to a range of interests. At Bow Lake, the history of hydropower use meets information about birds. Pig Lane focuses on traces of early settlement and mills. There is also a trail around an active beaver impoundment, along with information about river quality and bobcat habitat.

Bow Lake: Hydropower and Birdlife

Bow Lake is in Strafford; a small part of the lake lies within the boundaries of Northwood. In the 19th century, the lake, then called Bow Pond, was dammed and enlarged to harness hydropower for mills. Today, it covers 1,149 acres. Its current size is therefore also part of a history of water use: the dam changed the size of the lake, which was previously called Bow Pond.

There is access to a boat launch on Bow Lake from Water Street. Parking for boat trailers is limited. If you plan to visit with a boat and trailer, you should take the limited parking into account. This highlights both the boat launch’s specific location on Water Street and a practical consideration for trailers.

The lake’s birdlife also has two distinct timeframes. A pair of eagles nests on Bennett Island, and several pairs of loons spend every summer at Bow Lake. This brings together a named nesting site and a recurring summer presence. These are different aspects of the lake for nature enthusiasts, with different timeframes.

Beaver Habitat and Traces of Early Settlement

The Beaver Pond Loop Trail circles a large, active beaver impoundment. Here, the trail connects with a clearly defined natural feature: the area dammed by beavers. Visitors can find a different focus here than among the historical features on Pig Lane. The route is characterized by the active beaver impoundment, not by a historic mill complex.

On Pig Lane, visitors can explore cellar holes, cemeteries of the original settlers, and ruins of once-bustling mills. These features bring together different aspects of the town’s history: cellar holes and cemeteries point to the original settlers, while the ruins reflect past milling activity. Pig Lane thus offers a historical focus, while the Beaver Pond Loop Trail circles an active beaver impoundment. If you are choosing between natural and historical attractions, these two have distinctly different subjects.

Waterways and Habitats

The Isinglass River has the highest rated water quality in the Great Bay watershed. The watershed reference places this statement in a broader context: it concerns the assessment within the Great Bay watershed, not just the name of the river. This aspect differs from the history of Bow Lake, where damming and past mill use shape the story of the waterway.

Storer Lot on Parker Mountain provides valuable bobcat habitat. This natural feature adds another habitat and another animal species to the other wildlife and water topics mentioned. Eagles and loons are noted at Bow Lake, assessed water quality at the Isinglass River, and bobcat habitat at Storer Lot. Together, these examples show that Strafford’s natural attractions are not limited to a single body of water or species: they range from birds at the lake and an active beaver impoundment to bobcat habitat.

Discover more destinations: Dover, Durham.

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