Merrill Creek Reservoir, Washington, NJ (Moderate)
Details
The Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre man made reservoir designed to hold 15 billion gallons of water surrounded by a 290-acre Environmental Preserve and 2000 additional acres of woods and fields. One of the largest construction projects in the United States in the 1986-87 construction period.
Its basic purpose is to provide stored water that can be released to the Delaware River to make up for the evaporative water usage at certain electric generating units in times of low flow in the river. Merrill Creek is connected to the Delaware River by a 3 mile tunnel. The lake is about 225 feet deep, making it the deepest man-made lake in New Jersey. The earthen Merrill Creek Dam with a height of 280 feet and a length at its crest of 1,140 feet was built in 1988 by a consortium of seven electric utilities.
The reservoir provides a tranquil setting of water and land that allows people to interact with the natural environment. Hiking, cross-country skiing, photography, wildlife observation, and nature study are all encouraged. Area is know to have Black Bears, White Tail Deer, Mink, Coyotes, Bald Eagles and numerous other species of Birds.
Every year thousands of Snow Geese migrate through the area at this time of year and make Merrill Creek a resting spot before continuing on their migration.
We'll hike the Merrill Creek Reservoir 6 mile perimeter trail.
This will be a Moderate loop that will include going across the earthen dam, gravel trails and woodland trails with some rocks and roots, trail might have some ice, water and mud. Will stop in the Visitors Center if open.
Portajohn is available.
Traction device and poles are recommend for the winter season.
Will cancel for unpleasant weather.
Use event pin for directions.
Note that your Host is not a tour guide, you are responsible for your own safety and well being.
By signing up for this hike, you know that hiking poses risks and you will not hold me or Meetup liable for injury, damages, or death.
More Info:
https://merrillcreek.com/general-info/map/
https://merrillcreek.com/