Whether you live along the shoreline or in the surrounding hills, your actions matter as stormwater runoff from across the watershed affects Lake Hopatcong’s health. Our Lake-Friendly Living Program helps residents reduce runoff and support a cleaner, healthier lake. Stormwater—rain or melting snow that flows over land or into storm drains—can carry pollutants such as nutrients, chemicals, and sediment. When unmanaged, it degrades water quality, harms aquatic life, and threatens both public health and recreation.
Being “lake friendly” means actively protecting Lake Hopatcong through responsible everyday actions and property care. Whether you’re maintaining your yard, managing your septic system, or supporting healthy riparian buffer zones, your choices make a difference. Small changes may seem insignificant, but together, hundreds of individual actions can lead to large-scale environmental stewardship.
Lake-Friendly Living program is voluntary and helps residents take simple, practical steps to protect the lake. At the heart of our Lake-Friendly Living Program is the Lake-Friendly Living Survey, a quick online questionnaire that takes about 15 minutes to complete and helps you discover how lake-friendly your property is. This interactive tool builds on our Lake-Friendly Living Guide to create an engaging learning experience for watershed residents.
All participants, regardless of score, will receive personalized guidance and tools to support more lake-friendly practices. Properties that meet Lake-Friendly Living standards (70% or more) will be recognized with a lake-friendly sign to display on your property to show your commitment to a cleaner Lake Hopatcong.
There are no penalties for participation or low scores; the goal is education and improvement (and a cleaner Lake Hopatcong!). Residents who scored less than 70% are welcome to repeat the survey when additional steps have been taken.
This program is designed for properties and homes within the Lake Hopatcong watershed. You can check to see if your property is within the watershed on this Lake Hopatcong Commission page.
We’re excited to roll this new program out! We truly value your input as we continue to refine and improve the program. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to us at lakefriendly@lakehopatcongfoundation.org.
This program was made possible, in part, through the generous support of the Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust.
Lake-Friendly Living GuideOur Lake-Friendly Living Guide is a downloadable PDF filled with practical tips and information to help you make lake-conscious choices every day. Whether you live right on the water or miles away in the surrounding hills, your actions matter—stormwater runoff from across the watershed impacts Lake Hopatcong’s health. The guide covers a wide range of topics, from lawn care and landscaping to driveway materials, home maintenance, and more, all aimed at reducing pollution and preserving water quality. It’s a simple, accessible way to learn how small changes around your home can protect our lake and even boost your property value. Click the button below to view or download the guide and take your first step toward living lake-friendly!
View/Download Guide
Our Lake-Friendly Living Guide was funded through a grant from The Watershed Institute.