Budd Lake (New Jersey)

For the community named Budd Lake, see Budd Lake, New Jersey.

Budd Lake, the largest natural lake in New Jersey, is the source of the South Branch Raritan River. It is located in the community of Budd Lake, New Jersey, an unincorporated portion of Mount Olive Township.

A glacial lake at an elevation of 933 feet (284 m), Budd Lake has a surface area of 374 acres (1.51 km2), making it the largest natural lake in New Jersey.[1] It is 7–12 feet deep, and can have large algal blooms. The bog, created by thousands of years of decaying plant material, supports wetland plants such as black spruce and tamarack, which grow on the floating mass.[1] The lake is recharged through groundwater seepage through a series of wetlands, and serves as the headwaters of the Raritan River's South Branch.[2] It is closely bordered by U.S. Route 46 to the south, and Sand Shore Road to the east.[3]

Budd Lake was named for John Budd, who acquired 1,300 acres (530 ha) of land in the area in 1714.[4] Prior to that, it was called Hattacawanna Lake.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Budd Lake Bog Preserve, New Jersey Natural Lands Trust. Accessed August 17, 2011. "Curving along the northern end of New Jersey’s largest naturally formed lake, Budd Lake Bog supports a wetland habitat rare in New Jersey.... Budd Lake is considered the headwater source for the South Branch of the Raritan River."
  2. ^ Voyce, Lisa. "Protecting Water Quality in the Highlands (and Elsewhere)", ANJEC Report, Fall 2002 (PDF). Accessed August 17, 2011.
  3. ^ Google Maps Google. Retrieved on 2007-07-15.
  4. ^ The History of Mt. Olive, Mount Olive Township. Accessed August 17, 2011.
  5. ^ Manuscript Group 1187, Forest House Hotel, Hattacawanna Lake, NJ, New Jersey Historical Society. Accessed August 17, 2011.