Lake Kittamaqundi
Encyclopedia
Lake Kittamaqundi is a 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) reservoir
located in Columbia, Maryland
in the vicinity of the Mall in Columbia
. It is also adjacent to the Rouse Company's
offices and visible from US-29.
The lake was given its name after the first Indian settlement
in Howard County
. "Kittamaqundi" in the tribe's language translates to "meeting place."
The area surrounding the lake is a popular location for various summer festival
s and 4th of July
fireworks
.
Lake Kittamaqundi features an island known as Nomanisan
Island, named by Alan B. Levine in a 1980 community contest sponsored by "Columbia Magazine." The island's name comes from the phrase "No Man Is an Island
" by John Donne
.
In the winter of 2011, dredging began in Lake Kittamaqundi. As sediment built up over the years since the lake's creation the depth of the lake was reduced. This dredging effort focuses on restoring the lake to the original depths, reinforcing the banks, and creating two new peninsulas to enhance water flow.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
located in Columbia, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a planned community that consists of ten self-contained villages, located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, not...
in the vicinity of the Mall in Columbia
Mall in Columbia
The Mall in Columbia is the central shopping mall for the planned community of Columbia, Maryland, United States. It has five anchor department stores and over 200 specialty stores. It includes a 14-screen AMC Theatres and one of the 13 L.L.Bean retail stores outside of Maine...
. It is also adjacent to the Rouse Company's
The Rouse Company
The Rouse Company, founded by James W. Rouse in 1939, was a publicly held shopping mall and community developer from 1956 until 2004, when General Growth Properties Inc...
offices and visible from US-29.
The lake was given its name after the first Indian settlement
Indian settlement
An Indian settlement is a census subdivision outlined by the Canadian government Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for census purposes. These areas have at least 10 Indian people who live, more or less, permanently in the given area...
in Howard County
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. "Kittamaqundi" in the tribe's language translates to "meeting place."
The area surrounding the lake is a popular location for various summer festival
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
s and 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
.
Lake Kittamaqundi features an island known as Nomanisan
Nomanisan
Nomanisan can refer to four islands—one real, three fictional. All four islands are named as intentional puns on the famous quote by John Donne, "No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe."...
Island, named by Alan B. Levine in a 1980 community contest sponsored by "Columbia Magazine." The island's name comes from the phrase "No Man Is an Island
No Man Is an Island
No Man Is an Island can refer to:* A famous line from "Meditation XVII," by the English poet John Donne* A book by the Trappist monk Thomas Merton* No Man Is an Island , a 1953 episode of the Hallmark Hall of Fame about the life of John Donne.....
" by John Donne
John Donne
John Donne 31 March 1631), English poet, satirist, lawyer, and priest, is now considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are notable for their strong and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs,...
.
In the winter of 2011, dredging began in Lake Kittamaqundi. As sediment built up over the years since the lake's creation the depth of the lake was reduced. This dredging effort focuses on restoring the lake to the original depths, reinforcing the banks, and creating two new peninsulas to enhance water flow.