Haven
Lake is one of a string of lakes and ponds near Milford, Delaware
that connect
to and feed the Mispillion River. This lake is one
of the many lakes and ponds in Delaware that is great for kayaking,
canoeing, boating,
fishing, or just exploring nature in general.
Haven
Lake
is located west of Milford,
DE with Williamsville Road to the North and DuPont Boulevard, also
known as
Route 113, to the East. The only public access to the lake is off of
Williamsville Road
approximately one half mile from the Milford –Harrington Highway also
known as
route 14 (See the orange circle in Figure 3).
To find
the entrance when on
Williamsville Road, look for the sign seen in Figure 1
which
identifies the entrance.
This lake is a good place for beginning kayakers because it has a moderately easy water entry and exit point and fairly shallow water depth in most areas of the lake. In addition, since it is non-tidal, there are only minor currents near the dam (See Figure 6) and at the western end of the lake where the Mispillion River connects this lake to Griffith Lake. The only public water entry point is a public access boat ramp (Figure 2) which includes parking for approximately eight (8) vehicles or less if those vehicles have trailers (See the red circle in Figure 3). There is also a small grassy area near the waters edge where you can sit and enjoy the view. The water entry is moderately easy via a very basic boat ramp with a concrete pad; however, there are no bulkheads or docks to use for assistance (Figure 2). The boat ramp is in relatively good condition and appears to be well kept. You can walk your kayak down the boat ramp as traction is relatively good. Kayak entry can be made either from the water on the boat ramp or from the lake’s edge although the boat ramp will be a little easier. Either of these kayak entries does require good balance and some experience with kayak entry so the overall difficulty is beginner to moderate. Exiting your kayak via the ramp is almost as easy as the entry. If you are exiting via the lake’s edge this will be a little more difficult than utlizing the boat ramp.
The shoreline measures approximately just over three (3) miles (see Figure 4) and the total surface water area is recorded as 82.5 acres(Haven lake, 2016) .
The depth of the pond
ranges from a few inches at the edges to seven (7) feet two (2) inches
at maximum near the dam on the
eastern edge of the lake (Figure 5). The
lake is large enough that it will take several minutes to paddle from
one end to the other; and, it will take longer if you are taking your
time to observe all of the plant and animal life. A small
portion of the western part of the pond
is covered with spatterdock or yellow water lilies (See Figure
7
and Figure 8)
which can impede access to certain areas where the growth is especially
thick.
There are two branches to the western part of the lake: the Lednum Branch and the Johnson Branch along with the continuation of the Mispillion River; and there is one branch towards the south-eastern part of the lake which is Bowman Branch. All of these are full of obstructions or too shallow to be navigable although you can paddle down the Missipilion for a short distance before obstructions force you to turn around. (See Figure 6).
To the East of the Haven Lake is Silver Lake but Silver Lake is not directly accessible due to a dam (see Figure 5) at the Route 113 roadway that crosses the waterway. Due to the dam on the Eastern side of the lake, the lake is non-tidal; and, therefore, there is relatively no current except when you get close to the dam which is not recommended.
As mentioned before this lake is a beautiful location for kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing, or just exploring nature in general. If you want to explore nature you can expect to see turtles sunning themselves along the water’s edge and if you approach slowly and quietly you might be able to get a real close look (See Figure 9 and Figure 10). You can also expect to see Geese from time to time; and, if you are there during the right time of year you might see the whole family (See Figure 12). And, if you are lucky, you might catch sight of a Bald Eagle (Figure 11). They can sometimes be difficult to spot; but, during the right time of day, for example when they are hunting, you might have a better chance of spotting one.
If you are interesting in boating (Boating
Safety in Delaware, N.D.) , fishing (Recreational Fishing Size, Seasons, and Creel
Limits, 2016)
or other
recreational activities on the water, you may want to review the Delaware
regulations ( Rules, Regulations, Laws, Policies, and
Guidelines , N.D.)
concerning
such activities.
Bibliography
This lake is a good place for beginning kayakers because it has a moderately easy water entry and exit point and fairly shallow water depth in most areas of the lake. In addition, since it is non-tidal, there are only minor currents near the dam (See Figure 6) and at the western end of the lake where the Mispillion River connects this lake to Griffith Lake. The only public water entry point is a public access boat ramp (Figure 2) which includes parking for approximately eight (8) vehicles or less if those vehicles have trailers (See the red circle in Figure 3). There is also a small grassy area near the waters edge where you can sit and enjoy the view. The water entry is moderately easy via a very basic boat ramp with a concrete pad; however, there are no bulkheads or docks to use for assistance (Figure 2). The boat ramp is in relatively good condition and appears to be well kept. You can walk your kayak down the boat ramp as traction is relatively good. Kayak entry can be made either from the water on the boat ramp or from the lake’s edge although the boat ramp will be a little easier. Either of these kayak entries does require good balance and some experience with kayak entry so the overall difficulty is beginner to moderate. Exiting your kayak via the ramp is almost as easy as the entry. If you are exiting via the lake’s edge this will be a little more difficult than utlizing the boat ramp.
The shoreline measures approximately just over three (3) miles (see Figure 4) and the total surface water area is recorded as 82.5 acres
There are two branches to the western part of the lake: the Lednum Branch and the Johnson Branch along with the continuation of the Mispillion River; and there is one branch towards the south-eastern part of the lake which is Bowman Branch. All of these are full of obstructions or too shallow to be navigable although you can paddle down the Missipilion for a short distance before obstructions force you to turn around. (See Figure 6).
To the East of the Haven Lake is Silver Lake but Silver Lake is not directly accessible due to a dam (see Figure 5) at the Route 113 roadway that crosses the waterway. Due to the dam on the Eastern side of the lake, the lake is non-tidal; and, therefore, there is relatively no current except when you get close to the dam which is not recommended.
As mentioned before this lake is a beautiful location for kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing, or just exploring nature in general. If you want to explore nature you can expect to see turtles sunning themselves along the water’s edge and if you approach slowly and quietly you might be able to get a real close look (See Figure 9 and Figure 10). You can also expect to see Geese from time to time; and, if you are there during the right time of year you might see the whole family (See Figure 12). And, if you are lucky, you might catch sight of a Bald Eagle (Figure 11). They can sometimes be difficult to spot; but, during the right time of day, for example when they are hunting, you might have a better chance of spotting one.
If you are interesting in boating
Bibliography
Rules, Regulations, Laws, Policies, and Guidelines . (N.D.). Retrieved 2016, from State of Delaware:
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/Rules.aspx
Boating Safety in Delaware. (N.D.). Retrieved 2016, from State of Delaware:
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Boating/pages/Delaware_Boating_Safety.aspx
Google Earth. (2016). Haven Lake. (T. Johnson, Ed.)
Google Earth.
Google Maps. (2016). Haven Lake. (T. Johnson, Ed.)
Google Maps.
Haven lake.
(2016). Retrieved May 29, 2016, from Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control:
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries/Documents/Haven%20Lake11.pdf
Recreational Fishing Size, Seasons, and Creel
Limits. (2016).
Retrieved 2016, from State of Delaware:
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/fisheries/pages/recfishsizeseasoncreel.aspx
