In 1911 two brooks, Trout and the Cascade, were dammed to create Lake Bray.  Bray quickly became popular for picnicking, fishing, canoeing and skating. The surrounding trail, a 2/3’s mile section of which is wheelchair accessible, leads to other trails ( See map page ).

The lake supports a diverse habitat but its slow moving waters are filling with silt.  The lake also get chocked with invasive plants, including the persistent Water Chestnut.  Silting and invasive’s tend to cut off oxygen, reducing food sources for dependent fish, turtles, other aquatic life, as well as animals and birds. Attempts to mediate the problem include weed control and dredging.  Both are costly and have their own negative impact.

Volunteers have annually pulled entire Water Chestnut plants out by hand.  It has been very affective.

Image courtesy of a friend of the Mt. Tom Range.