Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Porter Lake — Reservoirs 42.1 Miles NE of Chapman Inn
Franklin County, Maine · USGS Strong Quadrangle · GNIS 573686
Within Franklin County, Maine, on the USGS Strong quadrangle, the reservoir known as Porter Lake sits 42.1 miles northeast of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “lake in Franklin County, Maine”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Franklin County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Porter Lake as a reservoir on the Strong topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/007), under Feature ID 573686. Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 05/12/2018.
Coordinates & physical setting
Porter Lake sits at 44.81039° N, 70.15154° W (DMS 44°48′37″ N, 70°09′06″ W).
Other reservoirs in Franklin County, Maine
Franklin County, ME contains 17 reservoirs catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Porter Lake itself. The ones closest to Porter Lake:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bauds Pond | New Vineyard | 1.9 mi |
| Mosher Pond | New Sharon | 4.9 mi |
| Staples Pond | Farmington | 7.4 mi |
| Carrabassett River Reservoir | Kingfield | 10.3 mi |
| Temple Stream Reservoir | Farmington | 10.4 mi |
| Wilson Pond | Wilton | 16 mi |
| Little Norridgewock Stream Reservoir | Farmington Falls | 18.2 mi |
| Androscoggin River Reservoir | Wilton | 21.7 mi |
| Androscoggin River Reservoir | Wilton | 21.8 mi |
| City Pond | Saddleback Mountain | 22.5 mi |
Features on the USGS Strong Quadrangle
The Strong 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 23 catalogued natural features alongside Porter Lake. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Stream | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 0.5 mi |
| Lily Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 1.1 mi |
| Taylor Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Taylor Hill Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 2 mi |
| Pratt Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Dyer Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.5 mi |
| Hartwell Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.6 mi |
| Leavitt Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.8 mi |
| Hartwell Intervale | Basins | Franklin County, ME | 3 mi |
| Hunter Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 3.4 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing NE out of Bethel for 42.1 miles (northeast) and you reach Porter Lake; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 72 minutes.
Best time to visit
June through September for paddling and swimming; January through March for ice fishing. Being this far north (lat 44.810°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 42.1 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Porter Lake track the nearby Dead Stream (0.5 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Porter Lake
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Stream | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 0.5 mi |
| Lily Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 1.1 mi |
| Mill Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Taylor Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Bauds Pond | Reservoirs | Franklin County, ME | 1.9 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Porter Lake located?
Porter Lake is in Franklin County, Maine, approximately 42.1 miles northeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Strong topographic quadrangle.
How far is Porter Lake from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 72 minutes, 42.1 miles northeast (bearing NE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Porter Lake?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Porter Lake as a reservoir, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 573686 on the Strong quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Porter Lake?
June through September for paddling and swimming; January through March for ice fishing.
How many other reservoirs are in Franklin County, Maine?
GNIS lists 16 other reservoirs in Franklin County, Maine.
Wikidata: Q34915766.