Oxoboxo Lake

Oxoboxo Lake is a natural lake. It feeds the Oxoboxo River, which runs 6 miles to the Thames River in Uncasville. Late 17th-century settlers recognized the value of water power and built dams on the lake and along the Oxoboxo River. The lake's existing 22-foot earth-and-stone embankment was built in the 1880s, and long-time residents still recall diving off it when they were children. Jumping off the dam is now prohibited.

According to a 1959 state fishery survey, Oxoboxo Lake covers 163.8 acres, has a maximum depth of 37 feet and an average depth of 18.8 feet. The Montville assessor's office has the lake at 136 acres.

Oxoboxo Lake is privately owned (Stone Container Corp. is the owner), as is the property around it. In the 1920s, the Oxoboxo Land Co. proposed building a camp that had 3/4-mile of lakefront along the northern shore. The company proposed building more than 200 25-by-100-foot campsites, three bathing beaches and a lodge. Prices for lots ranged from $160 to $1,000. Assessor Daryl DelGrosso said there are now about 100 lots along the north shore. Fewer than 40 have frontage on the lake. The north shore continues to be the only part of the lake that is developed. Property owners belong to the Oxoboxo Lake Beach and Boat Club Inc., a private lake association, which oversees activity at the lake.