If I were to tell you that the most haunted lake in NJ was man-made…would you believe me? My guess is no. However one such reservoir in Clinton, NJ has been given the nickname “NJ’s Bermuda Triangle” and its not planning on giving up its dead. The Round Valley Reservoir has existed since since its creation in 1960. It was formed when two local dams were built, causing water to flood the nearby “round” shaped valley. It reaches a max depth of around 180 feet and is known for it’s crystal blue waters that have a habit of luring people to their death.

Since 1971, there have been an astounding 26 deaths that have occurred in the reservoir, including 6 bodies that have never been found. Since the 70’s the lake has been open to fishermen and hikers hoping to catch some trout. However, legend says that the water contains much more than just fish, including monsters and creatures that lurk in the depths. Some even say there are mermaids who come to the surface during certain times of the year. They are said to sing songs that lure people to drown or commit suicide. While this may seem far fetched, keep in mind that bodies were found as recently as 2012 when a young man was found floating in an apparent suicide. Only a few months later a few fishermen pulled up a human foot! But the biggest mystery lies around the 6 bodies that remain lost to this day.

The Serious Six

The first victims were Thomas Trimblett and Christopher Zajaczkowski. These two men were fishing in their boat on May 4, 1973. The 12 foot aluminum boat capsized on the east side of the lake where both men were believed to have drowned.
In 1977 two more men, Craig Stier and Andrew Fasanella were last seen heading to the north end of the lake in a small wooden canoe. The canoe was found a few days later washed up on shore with no sign of the young men.
On March 18, 1989, John Kubu vanished during a fishing trip with his good friends Albert Lawson. Lawson was found 4 years later when his dead body mysteriously resurfaced.
The last victim was Jeffrey Moore who went fishing on Oct. 22, 1993 with his good friend Raymond Barr. The two were casually fishing when their boat began to take on water. As the boat went down the two men stayed close, awaiting rescue from any other nearby fishermen who may come their way. Then in the blink of an eye Jeffrey was gone, taken below the depths of the icy blue water.

Strangely enough all of the victims were young, good swimmers, and locals who knew their way around the water. Although multiple attempts have been made to find the bodies (including a submarine in 2006), nothing has been found to date. They remain lost.

Round Valley Reservoir

What Truly Lies Below

Local police say that the drownings were the result of high winds, which can reach up to 40 mph and can affect even the greatest mariners. All it takes is a strong gust while traveling in the wrong direction to send you over into the cold water which can average 50 degrees fahrenheit. Once your in water that cold, hypothermia can occur quickly and send your body into shock. Once you drown the cold waters will send you deeper into the depths where your body can stay preserved for years.

Others think that the legend is much more. Besides the tales of monsters, some think that the lake is cursed because of what lies below. Few know what existed in the valley before the reservoir was built. For all we know there could have been a small town whose houses, supplies, graves and lives are hidden below hundreds of feet of water. Scientists believe the area would have been ideal for the local Lenape indians. These scientists also believe that an ancient indian burial ground may have existed on the land. The water which eroded away the top layer of soil may have disturbed these graves and caused various bones and body parts to rise to the surface of the lake. These lost souls enact revenge by taking another as a sacrifice for disturbing their resting place.

As one body is released, another must fill its place.

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Robert Benko

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As a young kid my parents drove me and my sister out there on a sunday drive before it was filled with water…….it was one hell of a very deep valley…it had houses trees farm equipment roads and yes..it had a small graveyard with maybe 20 small headstones…we had binoculars and we were taking turns looking through them…I remember asking my mom why didn’t they remove the graves…and she said they probably felt it was better not to disturb them and just let them rest in peace….there were old trucks and cars down there along with farm equipment and I always wondered why they won’t get that stuff out of there…..the next day they started to fill it and I guess everything I saw that day was left there to be submerged
6 years ago

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Round Valley Reservoir : Clinton, NJ

Round Valley Reservoir : Clinton, NJ

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