Budd Lake in Mount Olive is New Jersey's largest naturally formed lake. Over the years as the area around the lake was developed the water quality in the lake declined. It's still a beautiful lake but the State DEP and many others would like to see some improvement. The non profit Raritan Headwaters Association, Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Mount Olive Township are backing a $10 Million watershed restoration plan just approved by the state DEP. The goal of the plan is "to capture and filter storm water upstream of the lake, so that the water quality improves over time, making it less prone to harmful algal blooms." according to Kristi McDonald Science Director for The Raritan Headwaters Association.
One thing I never knew is that Budd Lake is the drinking water source for about 1.8 million New Jersey residents because it is the start of the south branch of the Raritan River.
Source: New Jersey Herald
Photo: Jordan Siemens / Stone / Getty Images