{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Round Valley Reservoir | image = RoundValleySign2.JPG | caption = | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Clinton Township, New Jersey | coords = {{Coord|format=dms|display=title,inline}} | type = Reservoir | inflow = | outflow = | catchment = | basin_countries = United States | length = | width = | area = over {{convert|2,300|acre|km2}} | depth = | max-depth = {{convert|180|ft|abbr=on}} | volume = {{convert|55000000000|USgal|km3|abbr=on}} | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|381|ft|abbr=on}} | frozen = | islands = | cities = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = New Jersey#USA | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Round Valley Reservoir in New Jersey, USA. | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = | reference = }} The '''Round Valley Reservoir''' in Clinton Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States, was formed in 1960 when the '''New Jersey Water Authority''' constructed two large dams and flooded a large valley. The reservoir is named after the naturally formed circular valley surrounded by Cushetunk Mountain. The deep valley was caused by erosion of the soft sedimentary rock. The surrounding ridges of Cushetunk Mountain endure because they were underlaid with dense and durable volcanic rock diabase that cooled slowly under the surface of the Earth. The reservoir covers what used to be a farming community, with remains of a school and a church on the lake floor among other buildings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/bucolic-village-reservoir-nj/|title=The Tragic Story Behind The Village That Was Flooded To Make Way For New Jersey's Round Valley Reservoir|website=onlyinyourstate.com|date=September 21, 2019|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QodbCKdQig |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/_QodbCKdQig |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Town at the bottom of Round Valley 090515|via=YouTube|author=BlanchardFamilyPosts|date=September 5, 2015|access-date=October 17, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Reaching depths of {{convert|180|ft|m}}, this {{convert|2350|acre|km2|adj=on}} reservoir is best known for its pristine clear blue waters. The reservoir contains {{convert|55|e9USgal|m3}} of water for use in central New Jersey, making it the largest in the state. Its water is distributed during times of drought via the nearby south branch of the Raritan River. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife claims the reservoir is the southernmost body of water in the United States that contains naturally reproducing lake trout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/focus_on_fishing_lktrtsalmon.pdf|title=Focus on Fishing, Guidelines for success|publisher=NJDEP|access-date=May 26, 2026}}</ref> This is one of only two lakes in New Jersey with lake trout, the other being Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County. Some of the other species of fish in the lake include bass, pickerel, catfish, american eel, yellow perch, brown trout, and rainbow trout. The park also has a wilderness area for camping, swimming and SCUBA diving facilities, a boat ramp and nature hiking and biking trails.
The reservoir has been called the Bermuda Triangle of New Jersey, and also known as one of the worlds most cursed lakes with over 26 people have drowned there since 1971. Six of them have never been found.<ref>[http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Police-Search-New-Jerseys-Bermuda-Triangle/1$29117 Police Search New Jersey's 'Bermuda Triangle': Top News Stories at Officer.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2012/06/njs_bermuda_triangle_mystery_s.html|title=N.J.'s 'Bermuda Triangle': Mystery surrounds Clinton fishing hole's deep, dark past|publisher=The Star Ledger|date=June 4, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2025}}</ref> In December 2024, several unidentified lights were seen over the reservoir as part of the larger New Jersey drone sightings phenomena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/hunterdon/2024/12/we-went-drone-hunting-with-sen-kim-and-found-mystery-lights-hovering-over-njs-largest-reservoir.html|title=We went drone hunting with Sen. Kim and found ‘mystery’ lights over N.J. reservoir|publisher=NJ Advance Media|date=December 15, 2024|access-date=August 5, 2025}}</ref>
thumb|left|Round Valley Reservoir, Clinton Township, NJ
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==Gallery== <gallery> Image:RoundValleySign3.JPG|Picture of the Round Valley lake Image:RoundValleyTree.JPG|Tree hanging over the edge Image:RoundValleyBL.JPG|Boat Launch Image:RoundValleyShoreline.JPG|Shoreline Image:RoundValley-SpruceRun-aerial.jpg|Round Valley and Spruce Run File:Round Valley Reservoir.jpg|Shoreline </gallery>
==See also== {{portal|New Jersey}} * 2024 New Jersey drone sightings
==References== <references />
==External links== {{commons category|Round Valley Recreation Area}} * [{{#property:official website}} Official Page from the NJDEP] * [http://www.njskylands.com/pkrndval.htm New Jersey's Great Northwest Skylands Area Page] * [http://www.nynjtc.org/park/round-valley-recreation-area NY-NJTC: Round Valley Recreation Area Trail Details and Info] * [http://www.nynjtc.org/park/cushetunk-mountain-nature-preserve NY-NJTC: Cushetunk Mountain Nature Preserve Details and Info] * [http://www.roundvalleyfishing.com Round Valley Fishing Info] * [http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/03/mans_body_pulled_from_round_va.html Another drowning] {{Raritan River}} {{authority control}}
Category:Clinton Township, New Jersey Category:Protected areas of Hunterdon County, New Jersey Category:Reservoirs in New Jersey Category:State parks of New Jersey Category:Dams in New Jersey Category:United States state-owned dams Category:Bodies of water of Hunterdon County, New Jersey