Ramapo Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ramapo Lake |
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View northwest from Ramapo Lake Dam
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 Ramapo Lake
Location in New Jersey
Ramapo Lake
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 41°02′17″N 74°15′45″W / 41.037995°N 74.262599°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Surface area | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| Max. depth | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Surface elevation | 550 ft (170 m) |
Ramapo Lake is a beautiful, man-made lake located in the Ramapo Mountain State Forest in Northern New Jersey. It covers about 120 acres, which is like 90 football fields! This lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities and is an important part of the state forest.
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History of Ramapo Lake
Ramapo Lake wasn't always this big. It started as a much smaller pond.
From Pond to Lake
Originally, the area was home to a 25-acre pond. The Dutch settlers called it "Rotten Poel." This name means "Rats Pond." It was a natural pond, much smaller than the lake we see today.
Building the Dam
In the late 1800s, a man named Jacob Rogers changed the pond. He decided to make it much larger and deeper. To do this, he built a strong stone dam. This dam was constructed across the pond's outlet. The outlet is where water naturally flows out. Building the dam stopped the water from flowing freely. This caused the pond to grow much bigger. It became the 120-acre lake we know as Ramapo Lake today.
Exploring Ramapo Lake
Ramapo Lake is a great place to visit. It is surrounded by the beautiful Ramapo Mountain State Forest.
Outdoor Activities
The lake and its surrounding forest offer many fun things to do. People enjoy hiking on the trails around the lake. You can also go fishing in the lake's waters. It's a peaceful spot for nature lovers. The forest is home to many different plants and animals.
Location and Size
Ramapo Lake is located in the northern part of New Jersey. It sits at an elevation of about 550 feet above sea level. The lake is about 22 feet deep at its deepest point. Its large size makes it a significant feature of the state forest.
Images for kids
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View southwest across Ramapo Lake in Ramapo Mountain State Forest, New Jersey
