The Underwater Ghost Town in New Jersey

New Jersey is home to a few abandoned ghost towns but not very many that are actually submerged underwater.

If you live in Hunterdon County, you may already be familiar with the Round Valley Reservoir, a body of water most known for its pristine water, but have you ever wondered what's hiding underneath that bright blue surface?

The reservoir was created in the year 1960 when the New Jersey Water Authority constructed two large dams. In turn, a large central valley was flooded drowning the village of Clinton underneath.

Once a thriving farming community, the village of Clinton was known for having some of the most fertile lands in the state.

Photo byAbby Waters/Burst

There were over 50 farms throughout this quaint charming village that was home to dozens of families throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Despite this, New Jersey needed more drinking water due to its growing population. The state decided to build a new reservoir and the small farming village of Clinton was unfortunately in the way.

They notified residents to move and offered a small sum of money. But that wasn't enough for most families. Many protested but to no avail, family estates were razed, crops were destroyed, and animals were sold leaving this once-thriving community an empty shell of what it once was.

Photo byMatt Kane/Burst

This portion of Clinton Township was completely underwater by the 1960s. Today, the reservoir is a part of the Round Valley Recreation Area where New Jerseyans can enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, and camping.

To learn more, be sure to check out this fascinating documentary uploaded to YouTube.

Did you know about the underwater town in the Round Valley Reservoir? Have you ever been? Let us know in the comments.