I'm originally from Long Island where we have a cursed lake. The story as it was told to me was that a Native American "princess" fell in love with a man who was either from a rival tribe or was a colonist (it varies on who's telling the story). Her father disapproved of the man and they had to meet in secret. Unfortunately, while crossing the lake to see her one night he ended up downing. In her grief she cursed the lake to take the life of of a man every year. Some variations of the story also have her committing suicide.