Washington Valley Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Valley Reservoir |
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 Washington Valley Reservoir
Location in New Jersey
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| Location | Somerset County, New Jersey, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°35′35″N 74°33′54″W / 40.593°N 74.565°W |
| Primary inflows | West branch of Middle Brook |
| Primary outflows | West branch of Middle Brook |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 21 acres (8.5 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Settlements | Bridgewater Township, NJ |
Washington Valley Park is a large public park in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. It covers about 715-acre (2.89 km2) of land. The park is located between two mountain ridges called the Watchung Mountains. It is managed by the Somerset County Park Commission.
Inside the park, you will find the Washington Valley Reservoir and a special spot called the Chimney Rock Hawk Watch. It's a great place to explore nature and learn about history.
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Exploring Washington Valley Park
Washington Valley Park is divided into two main parts: a western section and an eastern section. These parts are separated by a road called Chimney Rock Road. The park has lots of rocky, hilly areas covered with pine and hemlock trees.
The Washington Valley Reservoir
In the middle of the western part of the park is the Washington Valley Reservoir. This reservoir is a lake that covers about 21-acre (85,000 m2). It was created in 1920 when a dam was built across the western branch of the Middle Brook.
The eastern part of the park has a smaller lake called the East Branch Reservoir. You can also find the beautiful Buttermilk Falls there, which is part of the eastern branch of the Middle Brook.
Fishing and Trails
The reservoirs in the park are popular spots for fishing. You can catch different types of fish here, like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. However, you cannot use boats on these reservoirs.
The park also has many trails. These trails are perfect for people who enjoy hiking and mountain biking.
The Chimney Rock Quarry
Next to the park is the Chimney Rock Quarry. A quarry is a place where rocks are dug out of the ground. This quarry was built on top of an old copper mine. Long ago, copper was mined here.
One famous piece of copper from this mine was used to make a small brass cannon. This cannon was later used during an important battle in American history called the siege of Yorktown. Today, stone is still taken from the quarry.
Watching Hawks at Chimney Rock
One of the most exciting places in the park is the Chimney Rock Hawk Watch. This spot is on a rocky outcrop of the first Watchung mountain ridge. In the fall, many birdwatchers come here.
They come to watch the annual journey of raptors, like hawks and eagles, as they fly south for the winter. In 2008, over 12,000 birds were seen here! This included more than 10,000 hawks, with many broad-winged hawks and sharp-shinned hawks. People also saw bald eagles and golden eagles. The best time to watch hawks is from early September to November, especially in the second half of September.
History at Middlebrook Encampment
The eastern part of Washington Valley Park has a special historical connection. During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army used this area as a military camp. This was part of the 1777-78 Middlebrook encampment.
You can still find parts of the old earth walls that were used as defenses. There is also a preserved lookout point. From this spot, soldiers could watch for movements of the British Army in the plains below, towards New Brunswick. It's a reminder of the important history that happened right here in the park.
