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=Lake Shirley (Shirley Reservoir), Lunenburg-Shirley, Massachusetts= Lake Shirley (Shirley Reservoir) is a 354 acre irregularly shaped lake residing in both Lunenburg and Shirley. The lake has close to 27 miles of shoreline that is heavily developed with year-round homes and a small number of seasonal cottages. It has an average depth of 14 feet and is known to have holes of up to 32 feet. The large number of coves and islands make it a great place to explore by pontoon boat and/or kayak. Shady Point Beach and Campground is known for holding a large number of varied events. Several Bass tournaments are held here each year.

Geography
Lake Shirley is located in southwestern Lunenburg, (3 miles from geographical center) a small suburban country town 37 miles from Boston. Very briefly, on the southeastern tip of the lake, the lake crosses over to the town of Shirley, MA, Middlesex county. Water is fed into the lake through the Catacoonamug Brook from Houghton's Mill Pond. 70-foot Joe Bilotta Memorial Bridge runs over the brook as well. Both Flat Hill Orchards, and Pine Hall Farm are farms in the surrounding area.

History
Shirley Reservoir was created in 1852 when a committee of mill owners, acting under the name of the Shirley Reservoir Company, constructed a dam on Catacoonamug Brook. This dam washed out in 1856. It took out the bridge on Catacoonamug Road, the railroad bridge on the main line of the Fitchburg Railway, the twin bridges at Center Road and Main Street in Lunenburg, and the Fredonian Park bridge on Shaker Road in Shirley. It also destroyed a sawmill, some other buildings and a number of mill-pond dams. The principal owner of the Shirley Reservoir Company was the Phoenix Company, which had about 50% of the investment. The Fredonian mills had about 25% and four other mill owners had the remaining 25%. A replacement dam was completed in 1857. This dam was supported by a cofferdam in 1987 and existed until 1996. By 1880 it would seem that the four smallest owners had given up their interest to the Phoenix Company, which held 75% interest, while Fredonia maintained its 25%. Both companies were owned by C.W. and J.E. Smith. The Phoenix and Fredonian mills closed in 1884. In 1886 the dam and its’ water rights were taken over by the Sampson Cordage Works. It was not the intention of the mill owners to create a lake for recreational purposes because the dam was not designed to hold the water level at a particular height. During its use as a reservoir for the mills, the average water level frequently varied from 3 feet to 12 feet. In general the water level was much lower than it is today. Because of this it wasn't until around 1967 when people were able to use the lake for lake houses and camps.

Wildlife
Lake Shirley is home to at least two or more bald eagles. Mass Audubon currently knows of one other golden eagle as well. Common 'Dabbling Ducks' are ever-present around the shores of the shady coves. Deer and beaver can also be seen frequently through the spring and summer. During the winter, muskrat usually borrow under docks or in small holes along the shore. Like almost every Massachusetts lake, Lake Shirley is home to at least 2 large blue herons.

Underwater Plant Life
Many forms of weed and plant life are found under the water of the lake. Most common is the water pennywort, a weed that grows from the bottom of the lake, and grows all the way to the top. Next is the ''chara. Just about common in every lake, chara is not rooted to the bottom, and generally floats under the surface of the water near the shores of the coves. '' There are only one or two select areas of some coves where algae grows. These weeds are treated for by the LSIC (Lake Shirley Improvement Corporation) using Copper sulfate, an aquatic herbicide that kills weed plant life, but keeps the water safe to swim and does not harm the fish. Category:Lakes Category:Lakes of Massachusetts Category:Animals Category:Wildlife Category:Lake wildlife Category:Lake shirley, Ma Category:Lake Shirley, MA Category:Shady Point