Woodcliff Lake Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodcliff Lake Reservoir |
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 Woodcliff Lake Reservoir
Location in New Jersey
Woodcliff Lake Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bergen County, New Jersey, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°01′09″N 74°02′36″W / 41.019089°N 74.043388°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Pascack Brook, Bear Brook |
| Primary outflows | Pascack Brook |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 871,000,000 US gal (3,300,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
The Woodcliff Lake Reservoir is a large, man-made lake located in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It stretches across parts of Woodcliff Lake, Hillsdale, and Park Ridge. This reservoir was created around 1903 by building a dam across the Pascack Brook. Another stream, the Bear Brook, also flows into the reservoir.
When the reservoir was built, the nearby town of Woodcliff changed its name to Woodcliff Lake. This was done to match the name of the new and important water source. The reservoir is currently owned by a company called Suez North America, which is a private utility.
Contents
What is a Reservoir?
A reservoir is like a giant storage tank for water. It's usually a natural valley that has been dammed up to hold water. This water is then used for things like drinking water for homes and businesses.
How Big is Woodcliff Lake Reservoir?
The Woodcliff Lake Reservoir can hold a lot of water! It has a capacity of about 871 million US gallons (which is about 3.3 million cubic meters). Water from the reservoir flows out into the Pascack Brook, which then continues downstream to another reservoir called the Oradell Reservoir.
When the water level in the reservoir gets very low, you can sometimes see an old stone bridge. This bridge was once part of the land before the reservoir was created. It's located just south of the main road that crosses the lake.
Animals and Plants Living Here
The Woodcliff Lake Reservoir is home to many different kinds of fish and other wildlife. It's a great place for nature lovers!
Fish Species in the Reservoir
You can find several types of fish swimming in the reservoir. These include largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, which are popular sport fish. Other fish like carp, pumpkinseed, and bluegill also live here. You might also spot brown and yellow bullheads, along with large groups of yellow and white perch.
Fishing Rules and Permits
If you want to fish in the reservoir, there are some important rules to follow. You need a valid New Jersey Fishing License. You also need a special Watershed Permit. This permit costs a yearly fee and helps protect the reservoir's water quality. It's important to remember that the reservoir is a source of drinking water, so protecting it is very important.
Birds and Other Wildlife
Besides fish, many kinds of birds live on and around the reservoir. You can often see various species of ducks swimming on the water. Herons, which are tall wading birds, also make their home near the reservoir's edges.
Crossing the Reservoir
There are two main ways to cross the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir.
Church Road Crossing
One way to cross is by a narrow road over the dam itself. This road was originally called Dam Road. Later, its name was changed to Church Road when Christ Lutheran Church was built nearby.
Woodcliff Avenue Causeway
The other way to cross is on a busier county road called Woodcliff Avenue. This road goes over a causeway, which is like a bridge built over a low, wet area.
Public Transportation Near the Lake
On the eastern side of the reservoir, you'll find the New Jersey Transit Pascack Valley Line. This is a train line that helps people travel around New Jersey. There's a train station called Woodcliff Lake station right at Woodcliff Avenue, making it easy for people to visit the area.
Protecting the Water
In 2003, the Governor of New Jersey at the time, Jim McGreevey, visited the nearby Lake Tappan reservoir. He suggested giving Woodcliff Lake, Lake Tappan, and the streams that flow into them a special "Category 1" water purity status. This means they would have the highest level of protection to keep their water very clean. This is important because these reservoirs provide drinking water for many people.
