Block Island has a new accolade to add to its list: home to Rhode Island’s prettiest lake.
Reader’s Digest published a list of the prettiest lakes in each state in the country, from Arizona’s Lake Pleasant to Wyoming’s Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
“Whether you prefer lakes known for their swimming, fishing, or charming surrounding towns, we’ve got you covered,” the Reader’s Digest article said.
With so many iconic bodies of water in the Ocean State, such as Watchaug Pond and Worden Pond, Reader’s Digest had plenty of lakes to pick from.
Great Salt Pond named as prettiest lake in Rhode Island
An aerial view of Great Salt Pond on Block Island.
The Reader’s Digest article said that Great Salt Pond, located in New Shoreham, is Rhode Island’s prettiest lake.
“Great Salt Pond on Block Island, about 13 miles off the main coast of Rhode Island, is arguably the most gorgeous of the bunch,” Reader’s Digest said. “It used to be an enclosed pond, but it now functions as a tidal harbor for boats and yachts.”
Great Salt Pond is on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historic intrigue.
“Besides the aforementioned harbor, the pond is also a great spot to fish, paddle, and swim in its protected northern sector, a designated no-anchor area,” the magazine said. “The southern sector remains a bustling yacht destination.”
More: Dangerous waters – RI bays and beach breaks, pools and ponds, are death scenes this summer
What is a lake?
While Great Salt Pond, as the name clearly suggests, is thought of as a pond, the different between a lake and a pond is nebulous.
A lake is a large body of water – either slowly moving or standing – the occupies an inland basin.
Exactly what metric distinguishes a lake from a pond is largely undefined.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Prettiest lake in Rhode Island? Great Salt Pond makes the cut
