WEST MILFORD — The drawdown of Greenwood Lake will end on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, according to a release by the Greenwood Lake Commission.
The drawdown began on Oct. 11, allowing millions of gallons of water out via the dam in Hewitt. The refill date was supposed to be Feb. 15 but, with such a dry fall, the commissioners decided to move the refill up to Jan. 1.
The commission received $84,350 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to reduce the stumps in the lake. Approximately 1,000 stumps were scheduled to be reduced in size, which will increase the water level in the lake and reduce hazards to swimmers and boaters. A drawdown also allows homeowners on the lake to perform dock repairs.
The last drawdown was done in 2011-2012. It, too, was a dry fall and winter. The lake was not up to its regular level by Memorial Day that year. That is something the commission wants to avoid in 2017.