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Dive Site Comments > Round Valley Recreation Area
randomlyon - 3/26/2024 11:29 PM
Hello Scuba Divers & Snorkelers,

We hope this e-mail finds you well. Please be advised that scuba diving and snorkeling activities at Round Valley Recreation Area and Round Valley Reservoir are closed for the 2024 season due to safety concerns.

As the New Jersey Water Supply Authority’s Round Valley Reservoir Dam Restoration Project is nearing completion, water levels are rising from their lowest level since the reservoir was first filled in the 1960s. Due to this, the shoreline conditions at Round Valley Reservoir and along Round Valley Recreation Area’s wilderness campground and day-use area are changing rapidly. Floating debris, submerged vegetation, and dying trees are now present along the traditionally barren, rocky shoreline, creating a hazard for scuba divers and snorkelers.

Water quality conditions will be assessed throughout the 2024 season and the status of scuba diving and snorkeling will be revisited during the winter of 2025.

Thank you for your patience during this time of change. We welcome you to enjoy some of Round Valley Recreation Area’s other activities including lifeguarded swimming at the beach, wilderness camping, hiking, and picnicking.

Best,

Deidre

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​
Deidre Supple
Park Superintendent
New Jersey State Park Service
Round Valley Recreation Area
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage
Park Office: (908) 236-6355
Facebook: @RoundValleyRecreationArea
randomlyon - 3/25/2024 1:15 AM
Rating Added: 3
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randomlyon - 10/23/2023 6:57 PM
Dove here a few weeks ago. There was vegetation of short to medium grass at 5’ to 16’ with some small minnows. I didn’t see any larger fish. From 20’ down it was only sand with the very occasional stump or pile of rocks. Temp was warm enough for 7mm to 50’ and the water was clear. Viz was 20’. RV is good to do basic skills, test equipment, and practice lift bag and dsmb, aka bring your own entertainment. Otherwise, there’s nothing to see. There is a platform. Check in with buddy at ranger station. They photocopy cert and dl. You fill out emergency contact info. No cost. Checkout with them after you’re done.
rdal - 5/03/2019 8:14 AM
Anyone have any recent temps/vis reports?
KelvinBatista - 4/15/2019 6:17 PM
Any updates on the visibility conditions of Round Valley from either this year or last? Thanks in advance
Erik_F - 4/15/2019 7:01 PM
It was max 15 feet on Sunday at 25-50ft depth. Much less than i expected.
BeekeeperGreg - 4/01/2017 11:26 PM
Dive Buddies dove 4-1-17 , this is their report:
Round Valley is pumping in water to raise the water level. Sounds good right? Nope - viz was 6 inches below 10 feet - maybe a foot and a half above 10 feet. Never seen it so poor. Was expecting 10 to 15 feet instead we got inches....

So they are pumping for 2 months - my guess is it will take 3 months for it to get better... So July or so before I will go back... Arghhhh...
SaltyBones - 4/03/2017 3:25 PM
:(
Erik_F - 4/03/2017 5:14 PM
A serious sad face!!!
Erik_F - 9/08/2016 6:58 PM
Rating Added: 4
Fun place to spend time with the family snorkeling the A1 area or in the beach area. Not much to see if diving randomly, but if you know where to go to find the old town, it’s pretty neat. Video of some of our foundation findings: youtube.com/watch?v=4B6YklGShZo
Erik_F - 9/08/2016 4:55 PM
Dove Round Valley on 9/4. It was 70 degrees down to 28 feet, 62 degrees at 40 feet and 52 degrees at around 50 feet. Visibility was around 15-30 feet varying at different depths. Found various foundations of the old town. Video: youtube.com/watch?v=4B6YklGShZo
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 9/05/2015 12:28 PM
I went scuba diving here on 9/5/2015. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: 50-55°F/10-13°C.
youtu.be/_QodbCKdQig

The NJ shore viz was a mess lately so I decided to try Round Valley again for an exploration of the town.

Quick video of the town at the bottom of the reservoir. Finally found it - it took all three of us to find it and find different pieces of it. I have been trying unsuccessfully for a few dives now but got it right today...
BeekeeperGreg - 8/30/2015 12:37 PM
I went scuba diving here on 8/30/2015. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.
Vis good but not as good as the past.
The swimming area closed for the season, so the threat of the park closing due to capacity wasn’t present.
Get there early before other divers stir up the bottom.
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 8/01/2015 12:31 PM
I went scuba diving here on 8/1/2015. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: Under 50°F/10°C.
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 7/18/2015 2:32 PM
I went scuba diving here on 7/18/2015. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: Under 50°F/10°C.
Andre and I dove looking for the house foundations - we got down to about 50 to 56 feet and found a wall with cement in it so my guess is it was part of a foundation of a home. Did not get video but it was really cool down there. Went down the road and headed left or East South East...
Really cool and a bit chilly but I was surprised around 50 feet it got cloudy and cold viz dropped from 20 or 25 to 10 feet and cloudy...
BeekeeperGreg - 7/05/2015 2:24 PM
Here is a series of pictures from Round Valley.
Note the bottom kicks up easy—notice the different vis on the same dive.
youtube.com/watch?v=ZDc8Su3wgXA

Always hydrate after a dive.
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 7/05/2015 3:11 PM
Nice Job on the photos - quick video in the same area... youtube.com/watch?v=Zyo_Fba9Dyg&list=PLOrQTxf2TQ...Y6BoKHwH1Lk&index=10
BeekeeperGreg - 7/05/2015 2:12 PM
I went scuba diving here on 7/5/2015. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.
BeekeeperGreg - 7/05/2015 2:10 PM
Wife and I dove 7-5-15. Water temps around 77 surface and about 68 at 25’. Vis at least 15’.
Please note that on busy summer weekends the Park won’t allow incoming traffic if at capacity, I have seen this twice, around noon the rangers close the entrance gates.

Plenty on friendly fish closer than arms length, especially around the dive platform—-follow the rope about 75 yards off the beach in 20’ of water.
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 7/05/2015 3:25 PM
Found out the hard way on 7/4 - yesterday - pouring down rain and the park was completely full - What??? lol oh well...
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 6/28/2015 12:16 PM
I went scuba diving here on 6/27/2015. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: Under 50°F/10°C.
BeekeeperGreg - 6/28/2015 7:54 PM
Carl, Water is only 50 F. Is that on the surface? Greg
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 6/29/2015 6:01 AM
Sorry I was trying to get my dives in the Dive Log - Surface water was about 72 degrees at 50 feet the water went to 48 degrees - so it was the bottom temp I was calling out - there are some thermocliines at Round Valley that you will feel when you get low enough..
BeekeeperGreg - 6/29/2015 6:24 AM
Carl, At 72 I can get my wife out, thanks for the info.
DiverfromBaskingRidge - 6/28/2015 11:53 AM
I went scuba diving here on 4/26/2015. Average viz: 5-10ft/2-3m. Water temp: 56-60°F/13-16°C.
MDW - 1/28/2015 7:44 PM
Rating Added: 2
Shallow, very little to see
whitefang21 - 10/17/2014 1:58 PM
Rating Added: 3
not much to see under water
BeekeeperGreg - 9/03/2014 7:39 PM
Rating Added: 2
20 foot vis, warm water, fish, not much else but very enjoyable.
Parking fee, must sign in and out. Office closes at 4:30.