Did you know we have a bottomless pond in Connecticut? Well, it’s not literally bottomless, as, of course, it does have a bottom somewhere down there. But Jobs Pond in Portland, Connecticut is something of a scientific mystery. The water levels often fluctuate dramatically, for seemingly no reason at all. Some believe a local legend that says the pond has no bottom. Others claim that there is an underground river that affects the water level. But the real answer as to why these seemingly random fluctuations happen is a bit more complicated. Read on to find out more about this supposedly bottomless pond in Connecticut.

The 32-acre pond is in Middlesex County, around Portland.

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube

It’s a residential area with a few houses, and YMCA has a day camp, Camp Ingersoll, that uses the pond for recreational purposes.

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube It may seem like your typical pond. It’s used for swimming, fishing, and it’s a great spot for relaxing. All pretty standard stuff.

However, this is actually a pretty weird body of water. The water levels are often at their highest during periods of drought, and at their lowest during particularly rainy periods.

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube

Scientists have found that the water levels fluctuate because the pond is situated in a kettle, a type of hole formed by glacier movements during the Ice Age.

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube Usually, kettle hole ponds are rarely more than a few dozen feet deep. However, there is typically a thick layer of sand and sediment at the bottom here. Due to the porosity of the sediment, it’s especially sensitive to changes in the groundwater levels. This can cause water levels to change seemingly at random.

Of course, that explanation doesn’t sound nearly as much fun as the idea of a bottomless pond in Connecticut! Kids at Camp Ingersoll often dare one another to try to touch the bottom.

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube

Jobs Pond may not be truly bottomless, but it sure is an interesting body of water with a lot of legends around it!

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube

Check out this cool drone footage of Jobs Pond from YouTube user water video:

“Jobs Pond, Portland CT”/water video/Youtube

It may seem like your typical pond. It’s used for swimming, fishing, and it’s a great spot for relaxing. All pretty standard stuff.

Usually, kettle hole ponds are rarely more than a few dozen feet deep. However, there is typically a thick layer of sand and sediment at the bottom here. Due to the porosity of the sediment, it’s especially sensitive to changes in the groundwater levels. This can cause water levels to change seemingly at random.

And if you’re looking for more beautiful ponds to visit, check out Black Rock Pond in Watertown — the clearest pond in Connecticut.

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Address: Jobs Pond, Portland, CT 06480, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Lakes And Ponds in Connecticut December 16, 2022 Meghan Byers What is the deepest natural lake in Connecticut? The deepest natural lake in Connecticut is Lake Wononscopomuc, also called Lakeville Lake because it is located within the little village of Lakeville – which itself is located within the town of Salisbury. The surface area of Lake Wononscopomuc is 348 acres, and at its deepest point it is 102 feet deep. Its name is Mahican in origin and means “rocks at the bend.” Other deep lakes in Connecticut (both natural and man-made) include:

Lake Lillinonah Colebrook River Lake Candlewood Lake Lake Zoar West Hill Lake

What are some good ponds for swimming in Connecticut? There are a number of ponds that are good for swimming in Connecticut. Two popular spots are Burr Pond and Squantz Pond. Located within Burr Pond State Park in the town of Torrington, Burr Pond is adjacent to beautiful hiking trails that follow along the edge of the pond’s waters. Squantz Pond is part of Squantz Pond State Park, located in New Fairfield, and is known for its clear blue waters. It’s certainly refreshing in the summertime, but makes for a scenic sight at any time of the year, particularly during the autumn when the foliage is at its peak. What is the biggest natural lake in Connecticut? The biggest natural lake in Connecticut is Bantam Lake. It has a surface area of 947 acres and is located in the towns of Morris and Litchfield. Bantam Lake has two public beaches, and is home to the oldest continuously operating water ski club in the United States, Bantam Lake Ski Club.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Lakes And Ponds in Connecticut

December 16, 2022

Meghan Byers

What is the deepest natural lake in Connecticut? The deepest natural lake in Connecticut is Lake Wononscopomuc, also called Lakeville Lake because it is located within the little village of Lakeville – which itself is located within the town of Salisbury. The surface area of Lake Wononscopomuc is 348 acres, and at its deepest point it is 102 feet deep. Its name is Mahican in origin and means “rocks at the bend.” Other deep lakes in Connecticut (both natural and man-made) include:

Lake Lillinonah Colebrook River Lake Candlewood Lake Lake Zoar West Hill Lake

What are some good ponds for swimming in Connecticut? There are a number of ponds that are good for swimming in Connecticut. Two popular spots are Burr Pond and Squantz Pond. Located within Burr Pond State Park in the town of Torrington, Burr Pond is adjacent to beautiful hiking trails that follow along the edge of the pond’s waters. Squantz Pond is part of Squantz Pond State Park, located in New Fairfield, and is known for its clear blue waters. It’s certainly refreshing in the summertime, but makes for a scenic sight at any time of the year, particularly during the autumn when the foliage is at its peak. What is the biggest natural lake in Connecticut? The biggest natural lake in Connecticut is Bantam Lake. It has a surface area of 947 acres and is located in the towns of Morris and Litchfield. Bantam Lake has two public beaches, and is home to the oldest continuously operating water ski club in the United States, Bantam Lake Ski Club.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The deepest natural lake in Connecticut is Lake Wononscopomuc, also called Lakeville Lake because it is located within the little village of Lakeville – which itself is located within the town of Salisbury. The surface area of Lake Wononscopomuc is 348 acres, and at its deepest point it is 102 feet deep. Its name is Mahican in origin and means “rocks at the bend.”

Other deep lakes in Connecticut (both natural and man-made) include:

  • Lake Lillinonah
  • Colebrook River Lake
  • Candlewood Lake
  • Lake Zoar
  • West Hill Lake

What are some good ponds for swimming in Connecticut?

There are a number of ponds that are good for swimming in Connecticut. Two popular spots are Burr Pond and Squantz Pond. Located within Burr Pond State Park in the town of Torrington, Burr Pond is adjacent to beautiful hiking trails that follow along the edge of the pond’s waters. Squantz Pond is part of Squantz Pond State Park, located in New Fairfield, and is known for its clear blue waters. It’s certainly refreshing in the summertime, but makes for a scenic sight at any time of the year, particularly during the autumn when the foliage is at its peak.

What is the biggest natural lake in Connecticut?

The biggest natural lake in Connecticut is Bantam Lake. It has a surface area of 947 acres and is located in the towns of Morris and Litchfield. Bantam Lake has two public beaches, and is home to the oldest continuously operating water ski club in the United States, Bantam Lake Ski Club.