Prospertown Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prospertown Lake |
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Prospertown Lake in November 2015; Nitro is located in the background
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 Prospertown Lake
Location in New Jersey
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| Location | Ocean County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°08′05″N 74°27′10″W / 40.1347°N 74.4529°W |
| Type | man-made lake |
| Average depth | 14 feet (4.3 m) |
Prospertown Lake is a special man-made lake and a wildlife management area in New Jersey. It is located in the Prospertown area of Jackson Township. You can find it right next to the famous Six Flags Great Adventure theme park. The lake is about 14 feet deep.
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What is Prospertown Lake?
Prospertown Lake is not a natural lake. It was created by people, which is why it's called a man-made lake or a reservoir. It's also part of a larger area that protects animals and plants. This means it's a safe home for many different kinds of wildlife. The lake is easy to find because it's located along County Route 537.
A Big Storm and a Quick Fix
In September 2011, a very strong storm called Hurricane Irene hit the area. This storm, along with others, caused a problem at the lake. A metal gate that controlled the water flow broke. This gate was part of an earthen dam on the west side of the lake.
The Lake Drains
When the gate broke, the lake began to drain. This meant the water level dropped very quickly. To protect the fish living in the lake, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection acted fast. They moved thousands of fish to another nearby body of water. This helped save the fish from being stranded.
Repairs and Refilling
After the storm, work began to fix the broken gate. The structure was repaired, and the lake was able to hold water again. By March 2013, the lake was refilled with water. New fish were also added back into the lake. This made sure that Prospertown Lake could continue to be a home for wildlife.
