Lake Musconetcong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Musconetcong |
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Lake Musconetcong from the boat ramp
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 Lake Musconetcong
Location in Morris County, New Jersey
Lake Musconetcong
Location in New Jersey
Lake Musconetcong
Location in the United States
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| Location | Morris / Sussex counties, New Jersey, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°54′25″N 74°41′35″W / 40.90694°N 74.69306°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Musconetcong River |
| Primary outflows | Musconetcong River |
| Catchment area | 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 329 acres (133 ha) |
| Average depth | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Max. depth | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
Lake Musconetcong is a cool reservoir located in New Jersey. It sits right on the border between Morris County and Sussex County. This lake is part of Hopatcong State Park, which is managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Musconetcong River flows right through the lake, connecting it to other waterways.
Contents
History of Lake Musconetcong
How the Lake Was Formed
Lake Musconetcong was created a long time ago, in the mid-1800s. People built the Lake Musconetcong Dam to make it. At first, it was called the Stanhope Reservoir. Its main purpose was to provide extra water for the Morris Canal. This canal was a very important waterway for moving goods across New Jersey.
Becoming a State Park
In 1924, the lake became part of the State of New Jersey. This happened when the Morris Canal System was given to the state. Now, it's a popular spot for outdoor fun.
Fun Activities at the Lake
Lake Musconetcong is a great place to visit! Many people enjoy spending time here.
Boating and Fishing
- Boating: You can go boating on the lake. It's a fun way to explore the water.
- Fishing: Fishing is also very popular here. Many different kinds of fish live in the lake.
- Ice Fishing: In winter, when the lake freezes over, people even go ice fishing!
Lake Facts and Figures
Size and Depth
Lake Musconetcong covers about 329 acres (which is about 1.3 square kilometers). That's a pretty big area! The lake is not very deep, though. Its average depth is about 5 feet (1.5 meters). The deepest parts of the lake go down to about 10 feet (3 meters).
Water Flow and Watershed
The lake's watershed is quite large, covering about 14,000 acres (57 square kilometers). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a lake or river. Lake Musconetcong is located downstream from Lake Hopatcong. Lake Hopatcong is the biggest lake in New Jersey, and Lake Musconetcong is part of its larger water system.
Gallery
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Lake Musconetcong Dam
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Control building for the dam, Stanhope United Methodist Church in the background
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Remains of Morris Canal Lock 1 West, looking toward the lake
