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Open Water Swimming Locations
On the Wilmington/Tewksbury link, Route 38 - this is Wilmington's town beach.
Lake: Silver lake is approx .25 miles across. The water quality is generally good, its tested every week by the board of health, the results are posted on the town of Wilmington's web site, usually on Friday the results will be listed.
Temp: Mid April -- June 1st range from 50-65 degrees June 1st--Sept 15th range from 65-83 degrees wetsuits would be required for any temp under 70 degrees to avoid a hypothermia situation.
Time: The earlier the better, as this is the town beach, you are technically suppose to be a Wilmington resident, but they don't check until after 11:00am from June 15-August 20th. The sun can be tough on the eyes, on the early morning west to east crossing.
Parking: Park at the beach only, there is no parking signs on the surrounding streets. A beach sticker is not required. Please note, if you plan to swim between the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m you need to obtain a parking permit. See the Yahoo emails about how to obtain permission from the Wilmington Recreation Department.
The Swim: Start at the end of the roped off area, and proceed straight across the lake, looking for several landmarks which are a small group of stores, in a white building and a blue house, aim for the middle of these two. The water depth does drop of right after the end of the sandy beach. The swim back, you should aim for the blue beach house, very easy to see even in cloudy/foggy conditions. Swim back to the roped off area. across and back is .5 mile An occasional group weeds maybe encountered, but less of a chance if you are right in the middle of the lake. Once in a while several small fish maybe seen, but there is nothing in this lake that will eat or hurt you.
Misc: Beware of the fisherman on both sides of the lake, you don't want to run into there lines. Keep the noise down we don't want any trouble with the neighbors or police. Swim with a colored cap on, so you fellow swimmers can see you to avoid head on collisions.
Summary: Great place to swim early in the day.
Stiles Pond, Boxford (Map)
A few times a week, various groups swim across Stiles pond and back. Check schedule above for correct times. The swim is about 3/4 mile one way. Note: park in the boat launch parking lot. The other lot (if opened is for a private beach. Please stay off the beach, it is private. There is a path in the woods that leads to the pond without going onto the beach.
Directions From North Andover Center:
- Salem to Dale St.
- Left on Dale St.
- Dale St. to Main St.
- Right on Main St.
- After hill crest, stay left, take first left, Stiles Pond Road.
- 1.25 mile, all the way across the pond and back
- 0.75 mile, To Camp Wakanda (aka Baby Beach) on the left side of the pond and back
Walden Pond, Concord (Map) (Website)
Lake Mascuppic, Dracut (Map)
Merrimack River, Lowell