Pompton Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pompton Lake |
|
|---|---|
Pompton Lake viewed from Ramapo Mountain State Forest
|
|
 Pompton Lake
Location in New Jersey
Pompton Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Pompton Lakes / Wayne, Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 41°00′24″N 74°16′30″W / 41.006589°N 74.274974°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Ramapo River |
| Primary outflows | Ramapo River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 175 acres (0.71 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 202 feet (62 m) |
Pompton Lake is a large, man-made lake located in New Jersey. It covers about 175 acres (0.71 square kilometers). You can find it in Passaic County, between the towns of Pompton Lakes and Wayne. This lake is actually a reservoir, which means it's a place where water is collected and stored.
The main purpose of Pompton Lake is to provide extra drinking water for people in the area. It gets most of its water from the Ramapo River. Smaller streams, like Acid Brook, also flow into the lake. After leaving Pompton Lake, the Ramapo River continues its journey. It then flows into the Pompton River and eventually joins the Passaic River. The entire area that drains water into Pompton Lake is quite large, covering 176 square miles.
Contents
How Pompton Lake Was Formed
Pompton Lake was created by people, not by nature. It was formed when a dam was built across the Ramapo River.
Building the Dam
The first dam at this location was made of wood. However, a big flood in 1903 destroyed it. After that, a new, stronger dam was built. This new dam was completed in 1908. Once the dam was finished, water began to collect behind it, forming the lake we know today as Pompton Lake.
The Ramapo River's Journey
The Ramapo River is very important to Pompton Lake. It is the lake's main source of water.
River Flow and Connections
The Ramapo River flows into Pompton Lake, filling it up. After passing through the lake, the river continues its path downstream. It then connects with the Pompton River. Finally, both rivers join the larger Passaic River. This network of rivers helps carry water across a wide area of New Jersey.
