Ashmere Lake is a 287 acre impoundment of Bennett Brook located on Route143 on the Hinsdale and Peru town line. The lake is divided into two basins by Route143 and access is permitted between the two by a culvert that isnavigable to smaller boats. The average depth of Ashmere Lake is 8 feet witha maximum of 24 feet near the dam in the southern basin. Aquatic vegetationis abundant and often dense in the northern basin and common but patchy inthe southern basin. The bottom is composed primarily of mud with largeareas of rock and rubble in the western and southern sections of thesouthern basin. The southern shore of the south basin lies within AshmereLake State Park and is entirely wooded; elsewhere the shores are moderatelydeveloped with houses. Ashmere Lake is typically drawn down during fall andwinter so use caution when navigating during these times as depth variesseasonally.