Lake Hopatcong Refilling Starts Dec. 1 Due to 'Moderate Drought'

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced last week that the state will begin refilling Lake Hopatcong a little earlier than planned
on Dec. 1. 

Officials say the early refilling is needed because of the current 90-day dry spell that the region has been experiencing. A recent National Drought Monitor indicator identifies northern New Jersey as D1, which means experiencing moderate drought.

The lake was drawn down five feet last September as is standard practice every five years. On Nov. 9, a volunteer community cleanup removed a large amount of debris that became visible and retrievable after the drawdown.

Hopatcong State Park personnel are communicating with permit holders around the lake to inform them of the early refill so they have adequate time to adjust their work schedules, according to a state DEP statement.