Manasquan Reservoir
| Manasquan Reservoir | |
|---|---|
The reservoir in early spring | |
| Location | Monmouth County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°10′44″N 74°12′26″W / 40.178775°N 74.207239°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Timber Swamp Brook |
| Primary outflows | Timber Swamp Brook |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 770 acres (310 ha) |
| Max. depth | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Manasquan Reservoir County Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Passive park |
| Location | Howell, New Jersey, United States |
| Nearest town | Howell, New Jersey |
| Area | 1,204 acres (4.87 km2) |
| Created | 1990 |
| Etymology | Lenape Native American dialect meaning "mouth of the river" |
| Owned by | Monmouth County |
| Operated by | Monmouth County Park System |
| Visitors | 1.1 million (in 2010) |
| Open | 7AM - dusk (Environmental Center: 10AM-5PM) |
| Status | Open all year |
| Camp sites | No |
| Hiking trails | 5 |
| Habitats | Bald eagle |
| Species | Birds: great blue heron, osprey, double-crested cormorant, bald eagle. Also: frogs, turtles, snakes, white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon |
| Collections | Several, at Environmental Center |
| Designation | Wilderness Reserve |
| Parking | cars and trailers, 5 lots |
| Public transit access | None |
| Other information | Small picnic areas |
The Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities, as well as a 1,204-acre (4.87 km2) park, located in Howell Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. The reservoir doubles as a park that is part of the Monmouth County Park System. The park has trails, a visitor center, a nature/environmental center, a boat launching area and several dikes for fishing, among its facilities. The reservoir itself, which is dammed from the Manasquan River, is operated by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, which is a part of the much larger Raritan Basin Watershed. The nature trails circling around the reservoir are what makes this county park as one of the most popular hiking destinations in Central New Jersey, as the park receives over one million visitors a year. It is reachable by car and there are five parking lots, including one for vehicles hauling trailers. The park's trails are open to walkers, runners, hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.