Mercer Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mercer Lake |
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View east from the dam
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 Mercer Lake
Location in New Jersey
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| Location | West Windsor, Mercer County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°16′04.14″N 74°38′58.52″W / 40.2678167°N 74.6495889°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Assunpink Creek |
| Primary outflows | Assunpink Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 365 acres (1.48 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 62 feet (19 m) |
Mercer Lake, also known as Lake Mercer, is a lake made by people. You can find it inside Mercer County Park in West Windsor, Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It covers about 365 acres.
How Mercer Lake Was Made
Mercer Lake was created in 1975. A dam was built to help stop floods on the Assunpink Creek. This creek flows near Trenton. The United States Department of Agriculture helped build it.
The big hole where the lake now sits was dug out. Workers building a highway called Interstate 295 did this. It didn't cost extra money to dig the lake.
Rowing at Mercer Lake
Mercer Lake is a very important place for rowing. It is one of the main training spots for the US Olympic Rowing Team. Many big rowing events have happened here.
The lake has hosted the US Olympic Team Trials for Rowing several times. These trials help choose who will represent the US in the Olympics. Other events include national team selections and international races. College and junior championships also take place here. The lake's design and equipment meet the rules of the FISA. This means it can host the biggest rowing competitions in the world.
Water Quality
Mercer Lake is known as one of the cleanest bodies of water in central New Jersey. However, it still faces some challenges. Pollution can come from nearby golf courses. Rainwater runoff from streets also carries pollutants into the lake. Even the big rowing events can sometimes affect the water quality.
Fishing in Mercer Lake
Mercer Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, and Bluegill here. Other fish include Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Catfish, Shad, and Musky. In the past, the lake was stocked with Tiger Muskie.
You can fish from the banks of the lake. You can also use a small boat like a kayak. In 2020, many more fish were caught than in the previous five years. This was likely because rowing events were paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
