The Dams of Indian Orchard

Two damns have been built on the Chicopee river that have been crucial to the urbanization of the village, the upper river Putts Dam located on the Wallamanupps Falls and Indian Orchard Mills Dam downriver.

The Mills Dam

The diversion of water through a canal

Electric generation from both is still active.

The lakes of Indian Orchard

Traditionally there are five lakes in Indian Orchard : Lake Lorraine, Mona Lake, Loon Pond, Dimmock Pond, and Long Pond.
 Five Mile Pond abuts Lake Lorraine but it has been considered to be outside of the village.

Starting with Loon Pond



Loon Pond has the most colorful history. It was the site of an entertainment park in the
1930s, known then as Joyland Beach. They had a dance hall as well as beach going.

 

In the 1960s the beach was known as Shultz's Beach but without the amusement

 buildings and apparently well attended.

 

In the 1980s Jam's Beach operated in the same site. A bar and small restaurant was part of the beach park. It closed as a beach by 2000.

 Now there is still access through an informal boat launch road and through a side road in the back of the old Boston rd. movie house.