Watchaug Pond in Washington County, Rhode Island
Watchaug Pond in Washington County, Rhode Island
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Watchaug Pond in Washington County, Rhode Island
This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version
Watchaug Lake, officially known as Watchaug Pond, is a 573-acre kettle pond located in Charlestown in Washington County, southern Rhode Island, formed during the Ice Age when glaciers retreated and left behind depressions that filled with water. This expansive freshwater lake is one of the largest in Rhode Island and serves as the centerpiece of Burlingame State Park, a 3,100-acre public recreation area featuring rocky woodlands and diverse natural habitats. The pond has an average depth of only eight feet, with the deepest location reaching 36 feet, creating ideal conditions for aquatic life and recreational activities. Watchaug Lake is surrounded by approximately four miles of scenic shoreline, much of which lies within public land managed by the state park and the adjacent Burlingame Management Area, while the southern and eastern shores feature some residential development. The lake is encircled by the John Vincent Gormley Trail, an eight-mile loop trail dedicated by Senator Jack Reed in 1999, honoring the volunteer who lovingly developed and maintained the trail over many years. This trail is the second-to-last leg of the North-South Trail that transects Rhode Island and connects to the nearby Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary, originally established by the Audubon Society in 1927 as a 29-acre wildlife refuge on the southern shore
Watchaug Lake offers exceptional year-round recreational opportunities and is a favorite destination for anglers, with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management regularly stocking the pond with trout multiple times throughout the spring season. The lake supports healthy populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, lake trout, brown trout, white perch, brown bullhead, and bluegill, making it one of Rhode Island's premier bass fishing destinations. The marshy western end of the pond feels remote and wild, providing excellent habitat for wildlife observation and birding, with over 250 bird species documented in the area including waterfowl, herons, egrets, and numerous migratory species that use the refuge as a stopover along the Atlantic Flyway. Burlingame State Park offers world-class amenities including over 700 rustic campsites, 20 cabins, a popular sandy beach with swimming area supervised by lifeguards during summer months, picnic facilities with tables and fireplaces, canoe and kayak rentals, a public boat launch at Barton C. Hurley Landing on Sanctuary Road, playgrounds, and shower facilities. Personal watercraft are prohibited on the lake to maintain its tranquil atmosphere, but motorboats and water skiing are permitted. The Kettle Pond Visitor Center, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge, hosts educational programs and school field trips about the pond's flora, fauna, and unique glacial habitats. Beyond the lake itself, visitors can explore nearby attractions including the spectacular Ninigret Park with its 227 acres featuring the renowned Frosty Drew Observatory for stargazing on clear Friday nights, disc golf course, tennis courts, and state-of-the-art playground, as well as the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge covering 858 acres of diverse habitats perfect for wildlife photography and nature walks. Charlestown's famous three-mile-long East Beach on the Atlantic Ocean, the historic Charlestown Breachway connecting Ninigret Pond to Block Island Sound for excellent saltwater fishing, and the charming downtown area with its farmers markets, unique shops like the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, and local dining establishments are all within minutes of the lake, making Watchaug Lake an ideal base for exploring Rhode Island's stunning South County coastal region
Dimensions:
Small: 8"x12"
Medium: 12"x18"
Large: 16"x24"
Extra Large: 20"x30"
XX Large: 24"x36"
Gigantic 30"x45"
HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers
HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers
HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers
The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail.
Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.
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About our Maps
Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.
- Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
- True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
- More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
- Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
- Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames
These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.
Horn Dog Maps vs Others
True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes
Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7
Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these actually 3D or just engraved?
These are true 3D layered maps.
- Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
- Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
- HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers
Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.
Where are these made?
Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.
- Design
- Cutting
- Painting
- Assembly
- Frame building
The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.
Do you use real depth data?
Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.
I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.
Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?
Most marketplace sellers:
- Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
- Have no connection to the lakes
- Cannot verify accuracy
- Have long delays if a file is not available
This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.
Because I design everything myself:
- I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
- You get a more accurate map, faster
What is your lead time?
Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.
Tell me about the Cribbage Boards
These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.
- Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
- The lake is engraved as if drained
- Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent
You can see:
- Channels
- Humps
- Points
- Structure
Additional features:
- 2 or 3 track options
- Choice of peg colors
- Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
- Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table
It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.