Makepeace Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Makepeace Lake |
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 Makepeace Lake
Location in New Jersey
Makepeace Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Atlantic County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 39°32′38″N 74°44′46″W / 39.544°N 74.746°W |
| Surface elevation | 52 feet (16 m) |
Makepeace Lake is a large lake, about 300 acres (120 hectares), located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It's part of a special natural area called the Pinelands National Reserve in the United States. The lake sits about 52 feet (16 meters) above sea level.
Lots of cool insects like dragonflies and damselflies live here. The water from Makepeace Lake flows into the Great Egg Harbor River. The lake isn't very deep, which makes it a perfect home for many wetland plants and animals.
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How Makepeace Lake Was Formed
Makepeace Lake isn't a natural lake. It was created by people in the 1930s. Workers built a dam across some cranberry bogs. These bogs were known as the Bozarth cranberry bogs.
Amazing Wildlife at Makepeace Lake
Makepeace Lake is a busy place for many different animals. You can find lots of birds, frogs, and insects living here.
Insects and Birds of Summer
When the weather is warm, you'll see many dragonflies and damselflies flying around. They love the lake's environment. Many birds also visit or live at the lake. You might spot mallards and wood ducks swimming. The great blue heron, a tall bird that hunts fish, is also common.
Other birds you might hear or see include different types of owls, like the barred owl, great-horned owl, and screech owl. Hawks, such as red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks, also fly over the lake.
Frogs and Butterflies
In the spring, many frogs become active. Look for wood frogs, green frogs, northern gray treefrogs, and carpenter frogs near the water.
During the summer, you can hear orioles singing and prairie warblers calling. Butterflies are also attracted to the lake when milkweed and dogbane plants bloom. These flowers provide food for them. In the marshy areas, you might even see Virginia rails and king rails, which are shy birds that hide in the tall grasses.
Fall Visitors
As fall arrives, you can often hear the distinct call of the barred owl. Monarch butterflies also visit the lake in the fall. They are attracted to plants like ironweed, goldenrod, and asters, which bloom during this season.
