Politics & Government
Lake Hopatcong Water Level Still a Concern
State reduces outflow Tuesday to catch rain expected to continue through Wednesday.
The state isn't letting the rain over Lake Hopatcong go to waste.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife reduced the outflow from Lake Hopatcong into the Musconetcong River from 8.2 to 6.8 cubic-feet per second at noon Tuesday. It expects to resume regular outflow at about the same time Wednesday.
The move was made to "capture more water in the lake," Lake Hopatcong Commission Administrator Donna MaCalle-Holly said. "So far the storm isn't quite as much as they were predicting [Monday], but every little bit helps."
Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Lake Hopatcong's water level has been a sore spot for the state this spring.
The lake was of 9 feet in April, which caused the state to reduce the outflow.
Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As of Tuesday morning, the lake was still well below its average height. The U.S. Geological Survey said the dam in Landing was at 7.9 feet as of 1:15 p.m., up almost an inch from Monday due to the rain.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
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