Round Valley Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Round Valley Reservoir |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Clinton Township, New Jersey |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | over 2,300 acres (9.3 km2) |
| Max. depth | 180 ft (55 m) |
| Water volume | 55,000,000,000 US gal (0.21 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 381 ft (116 m) |
The Round Valley Reservoir is a huge, beautiful lake in Clinton Township, New Jersey. It was created in 1960 when the New Jersey Water Authority built two big dams. This amazing reservoir is known for its super clear, blue water. It's a great place for outdoor adventures and is home to many kinds of fish!
Contents
Discovering Round Valley Reservoir
The Round Valley Reservoir gets its name from a naturally shaped circular valley. This valley was formed over a very long time by water wearing away soft rock. The mountains around it, called Cushetunk Mountain, stayed strong because they are made of tough volcanic rock. This rock, called diabase, cooled slowly deep underground.
When the reservoir was built, the valley was flooded. This meant that an old farming community, with its school and church, became covered by water. You can still find remains of these buildings on the lake floor!
How Big and Deep Is It?
Round Valley Reservoir is really impressive! It's about 180 feet (55 meters) deep in some spots. The reservoir covers more than 2,350 acres (9.5 square kilometers) of land.
It holds an incredible 55 billion gallons (208 billion liters) of water. This makes it the largest reservoir in all of New Jersey! This water is super important for people living in central New Jersey. During dry times, the water is sent out through the nearby Raritan River.
What Lives in the Water?
The water in Round Valley Reservoir is so clear and clean. It's famous for being one of the only places in New Jersey where lake trout naturally reproduce. Lake trout are a special type of fish that usually live in colder, deeper waters. The only other lake in New Jersey with lake trout is Merrill Creek Reservoir.
Besides lake trout, you can find many other types of fish here. These include different kinds of bass, pickerel, catfish, american eel, yellow perch, brown trout, and rainbow trout. It's a fantastic spot for fishing!
Fun Things to Do!
Round Valley Reservoir is not just for water supply; it's also a popular place for fun activities! The park has a special wilderness area where you can go camping. If you love being in the water, there are places for swimming and even SCUBA diving.
You can also launch your boat from the boat ramp. For those who enjoy staying on land, there are beautiful trails for hiking and biking. Some people even call the reservoir the "Bermuda Triangle of New Jersey" because of its deep, clear waters and sometimes mysterious feel!
Images for kids
-
Picture of the Round Valley lake
-
Tree hanging over the edge
-
Boat Launch
-
Shoreline
-
Round Valley and Spruce Run
-
Shoreline
