Woodcliff Lake Reservoir, reservoir in New Jersey, United States
Woodcliff Lake Reservoir is a human-made lake in Bergen County, New Jersey, created by damming Pascack Brook and fed by Bear Brook, stretching across the towns of Woodcliff Lake, Hillsdale, and Park Ridge. The water surface sits at about 98 feet above sea level and can hold over 870 million gallons, serving as a major water supply for nearby communities.
The reservoir was built around 1903 by damming Pascack Brook to create a water supply for the growing communities in the region. The creation of this water source was significant enough that the nearby town changed its name from Woodcliff to Woodcliff Lake, anchoring the new identity of the area.
The reservoir became so important to the local area that the nearby town renamed itself to match its name, reflecting how central this water source is to the community. People gather here to fish, watch waterfowl, or simply find quiet moments in a place where nature and daily life intersect.
Two main roads cross the reservoir: Church Road over the dam and the wider Woodcliff Avenue over a causeway, with a nearby train station offering access via the New Jersey Transit Pascack Valley Line. To fish here, you need a valid New Jersey fishing license and an annual Watershed Permit to help protect the water quality used for drinking.
When water levels drop significantly, an old stone bridge becomes visible just south of the main road crossing, offering a glimpse of the landscape before the reservoir was created. This submerged structure serves as a quiet reminder of how the land was transformed to meet the area's water needs.
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