Lake Surprise (New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Surprise |
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 Lake Surprise
Location in New Jersey
Lake Surprise
Location in the United States
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| Location | Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Mountainside, New Jersey, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°41′07″N 74°22′45″W / 40.68528°N 74.37917°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Blue Brook |
| Primary outflows | Blue Brook |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 269 ft (82 m) |
Lake Surprise is a special lake in New Jersey, USA. It's not a natural lake but a reservoir. This means it's a large, artificial lake built to store water. Lake Surprise was created by a dam on the Blue Brook. You can find it in the Watchung Reservation, right on the border of Berkeley Heights and Mountainside.
History of Lake Surprise
How the Lake Was Formed
Lake Surprise was built a long time ago, in 1845. It was made for a man named David Felt. He owned a papermill and needed a steady supply of water for his business. So, he had a dam built to create this lake.
Why the Name "Surprise"?
This lake has had a few different names over the years! First, it was known as Feltville Lake, named after David Felt. Then, it was called Ackerman Lake, and later, Silver Lake.
In January 2017, the Union County Park Commission bought the land. They made the lake part of the beautiful Watchung Reservation. They decided to call it Lake Surprise because of how you discover it. The road leading to the lake winds around, hiding the water until you are right next to it. It's a fun "surprise" when you finally see it!
