Students perform tests as part of fountain restoration

March 25, 2022|

By: Marty Kane

Students from Stevens Institute of Technology were at Hopatcong State Park this week performing final tests and demonstrations on the fountain in order to complete their Senior Engineering Project. Spearheaded by Hopatcong resident Justin McCarthy, the students have been working since September with their faculty adviser and professionals hired under a grant to the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum.  The goal was to develop Construction Documents for the restoration of the fountain which operated at the park from 1925 until circa 2000.  This project began under the auspices of the Lake Hopatcong Foundation with a Feasibility Study in 2014 and was passed to the museum for additional efforts as they are located on-site with the fountain and are part of the same Morris Canal Historic District. 

In brisk 40-degree temperatures this past Wednesday, the students donned waders to run a series of tests.  Ultrasonic testing was conducted to verify the thickness of the metal in the 1925 cast iron pipe.  In addition, with the assistance of park personnel, the fountain was turned on and flow testing was performed to document how close the fountain is to 12 gallons per second (the recognized minimum flow rate for the Musconetcong River). The students were also very interested in the impact the level of the lake has on this flow rate. 

It was a successful day and a very successful culmination of the Stevens student's senior project. Their participation added enthusiasm and ideas to the final design. The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum will now pursue further grant funding to perform the restoration work. It is their intent to have the fountain up and running before its 100th anniversary in 2025.