Kayaking Wawayanda Lake

Wawayanda Lake is a scenic 225-acre lake perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. A paddle around the serene lake passes by many scenic coves and islands, and is a great place to explore. For those without their own equipment, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available, and swimming is available on the large guarded beach in the summer. Continue reading to learn all about this lake in the far northern reaches of New Jersey.

The Boat Launch

From the main park entrance, drive on the long park road until you reach a sign directing you to Wawayanda Lake on the left. Turn towards the lake, where you will see a very large parking area for the swimming beach. Stay at the back of the parking lot until you see a sign directing you left towards the boat launch. Turn left here and follow it to another small parking area for boaters.

At the launch, there is a small staging loop next to the water for you to quickly take your boats off your car or trailer. There is also a ramp for those using a trailer to transport their boat(s). If the staging loop is congested, it is not a far walk with the boats from the parking lot itself.

The launching area features a few docks, with one featuring a convenient kayak launch to slide off of. Alternatively, there is a clearing at the ramp to launch from the shoreline if desired.

Next to the launch are rentals for those without their own equipment.

The Lake

The lake itself is 225 acres with an average depth of 30 feet, reaching a maximum depth of about 80 feet. It is very possible to paddle the entire lake in one visit. A full loop of the lake can be done in about an hour and a half if going at a moderate pace. The lake features many small coves and islands to explore along a moderately rocky shoreline. Some of these coves are fairly shallow and feature significant lily pad growth.

There are two major islands on the lake in addition to a handful of small rocky ones. Scot Island is very close to the boat launch and a good place to explore for those wanting a shorter paddle. Beech Island is in the center of the lake and is larger. Before the dam was constructed in 1845, Beech Island actually divided two separate ponds known as Double Pond. The 13-foot dam flooded the area, creating the present-day lake. As the Beech Island was not always an island and once separated two different ponds, the water surrounding it is pretty shallow, especially on the eastern side, where there are many lily pads.

Near the back of the lake, you might notice an unusual rusty pipe that appears to have been connected to the lake at one point. Upon further inspection, you will also notice concrete foundations and power lines. There is not much information on the pipe online, but the Facebook user “Sussex County Excursions” did some research at the West Milford library and found more information. A Facebook post describes:

In 1965, A severe water emergency occurred in Newark, New Jersey. The summer of 1965 was the beginning of the fifth year of a crippling drought that had plagued New Jersey. Newark’s water supply was at its lowest point in history, at only 28% of capacity. The mayor of Newark asked the state Department of Conservation for help. Newark was allowed to tap 500,000,000 gallons of water from Wawayanda Lake due to the fact that its citizens’ well-being was at risk. The Newark City Council immediately appropriated $152,000 to establish a 20-inch pipeline and pumping station at Wawayanda Lake. Once completed, the pipeline extends out from the lake and runs 4000 feet over Cherry Ridge. The water then flowed by gravity down Cherry Ridge Brook and into Canistear reservoir. Canistear Reservoir belongs to Newark and is 3 1/2 miles from Wawayanda Lake. The transfusion of water from the lake during the critical months of August, September, and October spared the city of Newark a water shortage disaster. By the end of the summer of 1966, the drought was over, and the pumping of water permanently ceased.

Overall, while not the largest lake in New Jersey, Wawayanda Lake is an excellent place to paddle.