Lake Mattamuskeet

… central Hyde County, a natural lake covering approx. 30,000 acres. Alt. 3 ft. below sea level. Max. depth 5 ft. Discovered 1585 by Richard Grenville's exploring party. Appears as Paquippe on the White map, 1585, for an Indian word meaning shallow (or dry) lake; as Paquike Lake on the Comberford map, 1657; and as Mattamuskeet Lake on the Moseley map, 1733. Present name from an Indian word Mata-mackya-t-wi (it is a moving swamp; quaky bog). As early as 1789 efforts were made to drain the lake for farming purposes, and the most recent efforts at drainage came to an end in 1934. Now a federal wildlife refuge. See also Aramuskeet; Aromuskek Marshes; New Holland.