Lake Hopatcong drawdown to begin mid-November

October 29, 2020| Environment

By: Lake Hopatcong Foundation/Lake Hopatcong Commission

Each year the water level on the lake is lowered to allow for waterfront maintenance and to protect private property from ice damage. The lake level is managed by Hopatcong State Park staff through adjustments in the four sluice gates at the dam within the park. This year, as per the water level management pilot program introduced in 2016, the lake will be lowered by 22 inches.

The Lake Hopatcong Commission has shared the following update on the annual drawdown pilot program.

The State Park permit request has been approved and they will begin the 22-inch drawdown on or around November 17th. The chart below has been updated from the one provided in the water level management plan to reflect the lake elevation goal on each day of the 22-inch drawdown.

The date of the drawdown can vary by a few days depending on variations in water level from year to year, but generally, it begins in mid-November with the goal of completing the drawdown by December 15th. During the 22-inch drawdown, the water level is maintained until such a time when spring thaw has softened the ice on the lake sufficient to avoid ice damage to private property. Once the spring thaw is underway, the sluice gates on the Lake Hopatcong Dam will be closed enough to maintain sufficient flow to the Musconetcong River and allow refill of Lake Hopatcong to the spillway crest elevation of 9 feet.

LAKE HOPATCONG WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN

At the publishing of this post (10/29/2020), the lake level measures 8.82 feet. Current levels can be viewed on the USGS site.