Swartswood Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swartswood Lake |
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| Swartout's Pond | |
Swartswood Lake is the third-largest freshwater lake in New Jersey
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 Swartswood Lake
Location in New Jersey
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| Location | Sussex County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 41°04′17″N 74°50′05″W / 41.0713041°N 74.8346662°W |
| Type | artificial lake |
| Primary inflows | Neldon's Brook |
| Max. length | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
| Average depth | 22 feet (6.7 m) |
| Max. depth | 42 feet (13 m) |
Swartswood Lake (once called Swartout's Pond) is a beautiful freshwater lake located in Sussex County, New Jersey, in the United States. It sits partly in Stillwater and partly in Hampton townships. This amazing lake was formed by glaciers long, long ago.
Swartswood Lake covers about 520 acres, making it the third-largest freshwater lake in New Jersey! It stretches about 3 miles from north to south and is about 1 mile wide from east to west. The lake is usually 22 feet deep, but its deepest spot goes down to 42 feet. This special lake is also the main focus of Swartswood State Park, a huge protected area covering 3,460 acres.
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Exploring Swartswood Lake
Swartswood Lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities. Because it's part of a state park, many people visit to enjoy nature and have fun. It's a great place to learn about how lakes are formed and where their water comes from.
Where Does the Water Come From?
Swartswood Lake gets its water from a few different places.
- One important source is Neldon's Brook. This brook collects water from several smaller lakes and a swamp called Bear Swamp.
- Another source is Indian Creek, sometimes called Indian River. This creek flows into Swartswood Lake from Little Swartswood Lake, which is located to the north.
How the Lake Was Changed
Long ago, in 1790, a man named Charles Rhodes, Sr., built a dam at the southern end of the lake. This dam created a "mill pond" in a narrow valley. The water from the lake then flowed into Keen's Mill Brook. This brook eventually joins Trout Brook, which then flows into the Paulins Kill river. The dam helped power mills in the past.
Swartswood State Park
The lake is a central part of Swartswood State Park. This park is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. It's a large area set aside to protect nature and allow people to enjoy the outdoors. The park offers many activities like fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking. It's a wonderful place to connect with nature and see local wildlife.
