Merrill Creek Reservoir

Merrill Creek Reservoir Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by 2,300 acres of woods and meadows.

Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by a 290-acre Environmental Preserve and 2000 additional acres of woods and fields. Its basic purpose is to provide stored water that can be released to the Delaware River to make up for the evaporative water usage at certain electric generating units in times of low flow in the river. In addition to that basic purpose, Merrill Creek Reser

voir provides a tranquil setting of water and land that allows people to interact with the natural environment.

Check out our latest blog on a unique native plant in bloom now at MCR!
06/15/2026

Check out our latest blog on a unique native plant in bloom now at MCR!

Between 2021 through 2022 Merrill Creek Reservoir had a Botanical Inventory performed at the property. The results of that inventory found “375 plant species, including 293 native species (78.1%) and 82 non-native species (21.9%). Additionally, the property hosts five state-listed rare plant speci...

Check out our lastest blog about our wetland enhancement of the confluence of theh Merrill Creek and the Reservoir:
06/10/2026

Check out our lastest blog about our wetland enhancement of the confluence of theh Merrill Creek and the Reservoir:

Merrill Creek is often thought of just the reservoir; however, the actual Merrill Creek is the real star of the property. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has classified the Merrill Creek as an “FW2-TPC1” waterway which is a top-tier environmental classification meaning the ...

06/03/2026

So we put up a "backscratcher" here at MCR and our Bears LOVE it! We will post these videos over the next week or so as multiple bears are using it - but here is mamma bear "Expressing Herself" - Bonus: watch for the cub at the end!

MCR put up a "backscratcher" to see how the bears would like it - it worked -they loved it! (more to come on this - esp...
06/03/2026

MCR put up a "backscratcher" to see how the bears would like it - it worked -they loved it! (more to come on this - especially lots of video). But for now, check out our blog that explains exactly what the bears are doing when they "back scratch" on something.

Backscratcher, Backscratcher! by Merrill Creek Reservoir | Jun 1, 2026 | Animals, Habitat Utility Poles at MCR used by Bear for “Signaling” – look close for bear hair and claws marks The next time when visiting Merrill Creek Reservoir notice the condition of the utility poles along Fox Farm Ro...

A great morning of fishing, fun, family and friends was had by all this past Saturday at Merrill Creek Reservoir as the ...
06/02/2026

A great morning of fishing, fun, family and friends was had by all this past Saturday at Merrill Creek Reservoir as the Merrill Creek Conservation & Sportsmen Association (MCCSA) hosted a fishing outing for The ARC of Warren County. Clients of The Arc enjoyed shoreline fishing with fishing mentors from MCCSA. The Arc fishing day at Merrill Creek is an annual event that has been happening since 2012.

“Merrill Creek Reservoir is so happy to host this annual event for the folks from The ARC of Warren County. Many thanks to the members of the MCCSA for organizing this event every year! MCCSA does an amazing job to make the event so much fun for the community. We look forward to this event because it brings so much joy to all who participate just by being outdoors, surrounded by nature, being with friends and family, and finding that sense of tranquility and excitement that fishing offers.” — John Parke, Ecologist Merrill Creek Reservoir

Check out MCR's latest Nature Newsletter from Ranger Rich on Dragonflies and Damselflies!
06/01/2026

Check out MCR's latest Nature Newsletter from Ranger Rich on Dragonflies and Damselflies!

MCR Monthly Newsletter What’s Hatchn’ing at Merrill Creek Reservoir with Ranger Rich About the Author: Richard Dansen Sr. Rich has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in zoology and wildlife management. Rich has been with Merrill Creek Reservoir since 1995 where h...

A Fire Cloud was spotted over MCR on Tuesday! What is a Fire Cloud? It is a band of color that appears parallel to the...
05/28/2026

A Fire Cloud was spotted over MCR on Tuesday! What is a Fire Cloud? It is a band of color that appears parallel to the horizon in high-altitude clouds. This optical phenomenon occurs through a precise sequence of events. 1) the sun must be very high in the sky at an elevation of at least 58 degrees above the horizon; 2) Sunlight must pass through wispy, high-altitude cirrus clouds; 3) These clouds must be filled with flat, plate-shaped hexagonal ice crystals; 4) when the sun's light enters the horizontally aligned crystals at just the right angle, its acts as a prism, splitting the light into a spectrum of horizonal colors (like a rainbow).

As summer approaches and you may find yourself looking for something fun for the kids - check out Merrill Creek Reservoi...
05/24/2026

As summer approaches and you may find yourself looking for something fun for the kids - check out Merrill Creek Reservoir’s Sensory Trail and Tree Finder Game! click here for more info:

As summer approaches and you may find yourself looking for something fun for the kids -check out Merrill Creek Reservoir’s Sensory Trail and Tree Finder Game! What is a sensory trail you say? A sensory trail is a path designed to engage multiple senses, often used to enhance accessibility, and pro...

Summer is here - so that means gates close at MCR at 8:00 PM from now till Labor Day
05/23/2026

Summer is here - so that means gates close at MCR at 8:00 PM from now till Labor Day

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34 Merrill Creek Road
Washington, NJ
07882

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