Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Lakes and Ponds

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area by National Parks Service

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area contains almost 200 lakes and ponds, ranging in size from about 35 acres down to less than one-tenth of an acre. The majority of these lakes and ponds are remnants of residences and farms that existed before the designation of the park. Most of these small waterbodies used to be wetlands or springs which were excavated and dammed to create open water for watering livestock, recreational activities or aesthetics.

Lakes and ponds differ from wetlands in that they don't usually contain very much vegetation and consequently, don't support the same diversity of wildlife. The typical residents of the recreation area's lakes and ponds are warm water fish such as largemouth bass and sunfish, green frogs, pickerel frogs, painted turtles, and a variety of dragonflies and damselflies.

Many of the recreation area's ponds are favorite fishing spots for both park visitors and local residents. These waterbodies are also important foraging areas for water birds such as great blue herons, mallards, black ducks, and kingfishers. Some of the larger lakes serve as rest stops for migratory waterfowl. In addition to the more common ducks and geese, it is possible to spot some of the less common species such as pied-billed grebe and even the occasional loon.