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June 20, 2009 Update:  Recent rainfall has helped Lake Hopatcong's water levels tremendously.  Lake Hopatcong Water Levels are finally approaching normal levels.  Click here to view the most up to date data regarding water level on Lake Hopatcong.


May 2009
Take a moment to compare the water flowing out of Lake Hopatcong to the water that flows out of Lake Musconetcong.

The State suggests Lake Hopatcong must always discharge 7.5 million gallons of water per day to assure 7.5 million gallons of water per day flow in the Musconectong River.  The State suggests that if Lake Hopatcong's outflow were decreased or brought to zero the Musconectong River might run out of water.

However, presently Lake Hopatcong's outflow is limited to 5.3 million gallons per day and still Lake Musconetcong is full and discharging 15-20 million gallons to the Musconetcong River. 

So the question is: how much water does Lake Hopatcong really need to discharge to assure 7.5 million gallons flows to the Musconetcong River?  Take a look at the photos below.

The State suggests Lake Hopatcong must always discharge 7.5 million gallons of water per day to assure 7.5 million gallons of water per day flow in the Musconectong River.  The State suggests that if Lake Hopatcong's outflow were decreased or brought to zero the Musconectong River might run out of water.

However, presently Lake Hopatcong's outflow is limited to 5.3 million gallons per day and still Lake Musconetcong is full and discharging 15-20 million gallons to the Musconetcong River. 

So the question is: how much water does Lake Hopatcong really need to discharge to assure 7.5 million gallons flows to the Musconetcong River?  Take a look at the photos below.

Lake Musconetcong Dam Outflow

This is the Lake Musconetcong Dam (approximately 100 ft long) overflowing to the Musconetcong River on approximately 4/11/09. Lake Musconetcong is currently at its high water level and is overflowing 15,000,000-20,000,000 gallons per day to the Musconectong River.  At the time of this photo, Lake Hopatcong is discharging 5 million gallons per day. 
Reportedly, Lake Hopatcong must discharge 7.5 million gallons per day to assure 7.5 million gallons per day flows down the Musconectong River.  According to data and the photo above, if Lake Hopatcong's discharge were cut to zero, there would still be 10-15 million gallons flowing to the Musconectong River. 

Lake Hopatcong Outflow
This is the water flowing out of Lake Hopatcong, about 5,500,000 gallons per day. The 'weir' in the picture is about 9ft wide and the water passing over the 'weir' is about 7ft wide x 8 inches deep.  Reportedly, the State says the flow from Lake Hopatcong assures the flow that runs over the Lake Musconetcong Dam.  Reportedly, if the Lake Hopatcong outflow was decreased or stopped the Musconetcong River would run out of water.
What do you think?  Does the data and photos suggest that there is 10-15 million gallons more developed somewhere between the Lake Hopatcong outflow and Lake Musconectong outflow?

It appears that if Lake Hopatcong's outflow stopped, Lake Musconetcong would still be full and would still discharge 10,000,000-15,000,000 gallons per day down the Musconetcong River. The data and photos suggest that somehwere between Lake Hopatcong and the Lake Musconetcong River 10-15 million gallons of water is generated.
So why not lessen or stop the flow from Lake Hopatcong in order to save the 2009 season?
Contact your elected official and ask.

  Musconetcong River Watershed
  • The total area of the Musconetcong watershed is approximately 156 square miles         
  • The total area of Lake Hopatcong area of watershed is 25.9 miles or 17% of the Musconetcong River Watershed

  • The current flow of the Musconetcong River near its terminus is approximately 100 million gallons per day
  • The current flow from Lake Hopatcong is 4.2 million gallons per day or appoximatly 4% of the Musconectong Rivers flow.
  • 95%-98% of the water in the Musconetcong River comes from other places than Lake Hopatcong.

So there would be negligble to no affects downstream should the outflow of Lake Hopatcong be closed.

This is not to set Lake Hopatcong against the Musconetcong River or other water bodies, rather the idea is to determine what (if any) flow is needed from Lake Hopatcong and react accordingly.  Especially as Lake Hopatcong is 30 inches below normal height. 
Lake Hopatcong’s water levels are being blamed on drought (look around at other lakes and rivers and note their level), however it is truly due to mismanagement of the water late last year and poor foresight now.  Lake Hopatcong needs to retain all the water it can to best assure a 2009 season.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to look into this.  Ask them to do something to assure you and the other users of Lake Hopatcong can enjoy the Lake this summer.  Take 5 minutes right now to help assure you and others have a whole summer of recreation at Lake Hopatcong.  Call-email-mail your officials right now. Thank you!