The Tragic Story Behind The Village That Was Flooded To Make Way For New Jersey’s Round Valley Reservoir
We don’t want to sell. Those were the words said by many New Jerseyans when the state came to appraise their property decades ago. The response they were given? You have no choice. A reservoir needed to be built, to meet growing demands for water in the area. While we reap the benefits of Round Valley today, its creation was heartbreaking to residents who called the (now flooded) valley home.
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According to the state, Round Valley was the best and only option for creating a massive reservoir in New Jersey. It was a large area with a limited population.
Still, many called the valley home. The bucolic farming community was safe and friendly with fertile soil. Residents say they could grow anything and didn't need to lock their doors at night.
Nevertheless, they needed to move. They were given a small sum of money and the opportunity to have their homes moved nearby. Most chose this option, though it separated generations of families. Some residents fought back, with no success. Homes were demolished, crops were lost, and animals sold.
The valley was flooded and ruins of the town (but not entire buildings) still remain under the water's surface. Round Valley Reservoir is the largest in New Jersey and can be filled with 55 billion gallons of water at maximum capacity.
Round Valley Reservoir is also part of the larger Round Valley Recreation Area, a state park. Many New Jerseyans come to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, and camping.
But there’s still so much more to this story. A pipeline was to be built, to supply busy cities like Newark with water. After the project began, Newark and nearby towns backed out. Corruption was involved, along with the mafia, and someone even ended up in witness protection. You can learn more about that, and hear stories from former residents in the incredible (under 30-minute) documentary below, uploaded to YouTube by Media 523. It was written and produced by Eric Althoff and David Kuznicki. It’s a must-watch for New Jersey history lovers.
For the story behind Round Valley’s eerie Bermuda Triangle, click here.
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Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
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