Merrill Creek Reservoir, lake in New Jersey, United States
Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre manmade lake in northwestern New Jersey surrounded by woodlands and open fields. The water body is lined with hiking trails and serves as a water storage facility that helps maintain river flow downstream.
The reservoir was constructed in the 1980s to store water and help maintain Delaware River flow during dry periods. The project resulted from collaboration between utility companies and the region to manage water resources effectively.
The reservoir takes its name from a historic mill that once operated in this area during early settlement. Today visitors experience it as a place for quiet walks and waterfowl observation, especially in winter when snow geese rest on the water.
The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset, with winter hours closing at 4:30 PM. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, bring insect repellent and tick preventive, and disinfect their gear before visiting to help prevent disease spread among birds.
Scientists conduct bird banding operations here and attach transmitters to turtles to track their movements and guide conservation efforts. Visitors may sometimes see nets suspended from trees as part of this important research work.
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