Lake Quinsigamond

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Lake Quinsigamond, also known as Long Pond, is a lake between Worcester and Shrewsbury in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It is about 4 miles long, up to roughly 85–90 feet deep, and covers around 772 acres. The lake has eight islands, with Drake Island being the largest and state-owned. Water from the lake flows out into the Quinsigamond River.

History and crossing the lake
- The lake was deeded to Native Americans in 1665, which made crossing it a challenge for early settlers.
- In the early 1800s, plans to link Worcester and Boston led to several bridge attempts across the lake.
- The first crossing was a floating log bridge in 1806, rebuilt in 1807 after it proved unstable.
- A wooden suspension bridge with nine piers opened in 1817 but collapsed the same year. A second floating bridge stayed in use until 1861.
- The first stable crossing was an earthen causeway completed in 1863, which split the lake and drew criticism for its appearance.
- A modern bridge replaced the causeway in 1919, and it was widened to four lanes in 1973.
- A new Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge opened in 2015 to carry Route 9 over the lake. It is a two-arch steel bridge with three lanes in each direction, a bike lane, and a pedestrian walkway.

Lakeside development and parks
- Most development around the lake occurred on the southern shore after the causeway was built.
- Lincoln Park, an amusement park, opened on the Worcester side in 1867. White City opened on the Shrewsbury side in 1905.
- Both parks declined and closed by the early 1960s. The White City site was later redeveloped into a shopping center, while the Lincoln Park site became housing.
- Quinsigamond State Park lies on the Worcester side, around Route 9.
- Ramshorn Island is owned by the city of Worcester and is open to the public by boat.

Boating, rowing, and events
- Competitive rowing began on the lake in 1857. Boating clubs and regattas followed, attracting colleges and regional teams.
- The New England Rowing Championships and other events have been held here for decades.
- The Quinsigamond Rowing Association hosted the US Rowing Masters National Championship in 2005, 2012, and 2016.

Cultural note
- The Mandaean-American community in Worcester performs masbuta (baptism) rituals in Lake Quinsigamond.