New Jersey Has Its Own Bermuda Triangle...And It's Eerily Beautiful

Round Valley Reservoir was formed in 1960 when the New Jersey Water Authority constructed two dams and flooded the Cushetunk Valley. With depths of over 100 feet, this is the deepest lake in New Jersey and a popular destination for scuba diving, fishing, boating and swimming. It is well-known for its cool, clear waters.

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Located in Clinton, the 2,000-acre lake is also well-known for something more sinister. Over two dozen people have died in the reservoir since 1972, when it was first opened to the public.

Flickr/Jeff Dlouhy

The lake's first victims were two young men, Thomas Trimblett and Christopher Zajaczkowski, whose boat capsized when fishing on May 4, 1973. In 1981, two friends disappeared while out canoeing - their boat washed ashore days later but they were nowhere to be found.

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Dozens more died over the years with the most recent death occurring in 2014. While his body was recovered, six remain in the depths of the lake, even after an extensive submarine search.

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While most of the deaths have been drowning-related, there has also been at least one suicide. In 2012, a fisherman hooked the skeletal remains of a human foot.

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No one is sure what makes the lake so deadly, but the cold water (temperatures can drop to 50 degrees even in warmer months in the deepest spots) can cause shock and strong gusts of wind are not infrequent. Some say that the area lies atop a cursed Indian village, and bodies are pulled down by unseen hands even in calm conditions.

Flickr/keyspoet

One thing is for certain - the remnants of an abandoned village lie below the surface. Before the reservoir was formed, a town existed in the area. Many buildings were relocated or demolished, but ruins still remain. To see them for yourself, enjoy this diving footage by YouTube user BlanchardFamilyPosts:

Did you have any idea? This spot is truly beautiful and offers incredible wilderness camping. The water is so crisp and clear, with visibility of up to twenty feet below the surface. It should not be missed, but caution and common sense should be used. Many deaths on the reservoir could have been prevented with the use of a life vest. To learn about other New Jersey lakes, enjoy my previous post featuring a dozen to visit this summer.