New Jersey is home to some of the most beautiful lakes on the East Coast—tranquil waters reflecting the sky, surrounded by thick forests and rolling hills. But what if I told you that some of those lakes aren’t there anymore?
Scattered across the Garden State are places where lakes once thrived, where families swam, fished, and boated—only to wake up one day and find them… gone. Some dried up, others were drained for reasons long forgotten, and a few simply disappeared under bizarre and unexplained circumstances.
What happened to these lost lakes? And is it possible that some could return?
The Disappearing Waters of New Jersey
Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest freshwater lake, wasn’t always a singular body of water. Historically, it consisted of two separate sections known as the “Great Pond” and the “Little Pond.” These two ponds were linked by a natural stream, coexisting as distinct bodies until human intervention in the mid-18th century changed the landscape forever.
In the 1750s, local iron forge operations required more water power, leading to the construction of a dam. This dam elevated the water level by about six feet, merging the Great Pond and Little Pond into one expansive lake. Later, in the 19th century, the development of the Morris Canal brought further changes. The canal, an essential transportation route for coal and iron, required even more water, raising the level of Lake Hopatcong by another six feet. This engineering project shaped the lake into the form it has today.
The Little Pond, although smaller, played a vital role in the area’s industrial growth. Its waters, alongside those of the Great Pond, powered the iron forges that were the lifeblood of the local economy. These ponds also fed the Morris Canal, which became a crucial artery for commerce in the 19th century.
While the Little Pond’s individual identity faded as it merged with its larger neighbor, its impact on the history of the area remains significant. Today, Lake Hopatcong stands as a single, unified body of water, a testament to the region’s dynamic history of natural forces and human ambition coming together to shape the environment.
The memory of the vanished “Little Pond” lives on within the lake’s waters, serving as a reminder of how industry and nature have always been intertwined in the Garden State’s history.
Then there’s Lake Ocquittunk in Stokes State Forest. Once a vibrant fishing and swimming spot, the lake started receding year after year. While specific details about the lake transforming into a marshy wetland or temporarily refilling after heavy rains are not readily available in public records, it’s known that the lake was created by damming streams during the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps projects. Over time, natural processes such as sedimentation and ecological succession can alter lake environments, potentially leading to changes in water levels and surrounding wetlands. Additionally, beaver activity in the area has been observed to influence water levels by raising pond levels through dam construction.
Lake Ocquittunk, located within Stokes State Forest in Branchville, is undergoing significant maintenance. The campground and its facilities, including showers and restrooms, are closed from January 1, 2025, with plans to reopen on July 1, 2025. This closure is due to essential septic system repairs aimed at improving the infrastructure for future visitors. During this period, no new reservations are being accepted. However, existing reservations within this timeframe will be honored. Visitors are encouraged to contact the park office at 973-948-3820 for updates on the reopening or email [email protected].
But the strangest case? Ghost Lake in Warren County.
Ghost Lake—The Lake That Comes and Goes
If you take a drive down Shades of Death Road (yes, that’s its real name), you’ll come across what some say is the eeriest body of water in the state—Ghost Lake. Unlike other vanished lakes, this one refuses to stay gone. Ghost Lake is located in Warren County, specifically near the town of Hope in the Great Meadows-Vienna area.
According to local legend, Ghost Lake was originally created by damming a small valley, but over time, the water started sinking into the earth, as if the ground was swallowing it whole. Hikers report seeing it full one season and nearly gone the next, as if it has a mind of its own.
Some scientists believe there’s a network of underground caves beneath it, draining the water away like a bathtub with an unplugged drain. But others think there’s something more mysterious at play. Strange lights are often spotted hovering over the lake, and ghostly figures have reportedly been seen walking along its shore at night.
Could there be a connection between these paranormal sightings and the lake’s disappearing act? They may be more far fetched but it does make for good Jersey folklore.
So, Why Are These Lakes Vanishing?
While some of New Jersey’s lost lakes have been drained for development, others are victims of natural sinkholes, shifting water tables, and climate change.
In some cases, lakes were intentionally destroyed to make way for roads, housing developments, or industrial projects. A few were casualties of the state’s booming cranberry industry, drained so that the land could be used for bog farming.
But some vanish for no apparent reason. And for every lake we know about, there could be others waiting for their return.
Could These Lakes Return?
Believe it or not, some experts think New Jersey’s lost lakes aren’t gone forever. Groundwater levels fluctuate, and old lake beds could fill up again under the right conditions.
There are even rumors that some lakes were drained for underground military testing—and that those sites are still off-limits for reasons unknown.
For now, the lost lakes of New Jersey remain one of the state’s most fascinating mysteries. Who knows—one day, you might drive past an empty field, only to return years later and find it replaced by a shimmering body of water that wasn’t supposed to be there.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.