It started with a U-turn.
In a quiet moment of directional improvisation, N.D. stumbled upon what she described as “some water behind B2 Bistro.” Innocent enough—until she posed the question that cracked open a local floodgate:
“What body of water is this, and is it safe to swim my dog in?”
Spoiler alert: The answer is a resounding “probably not.”
From U-Turn to Deep Dive
The mystery lake in question is Farrington Lake, a dammed reservoir formed by the Lawrence Brook and a longtime staple of East Brunswick and neighboring Milltown. But as the Facebook thread exploded, so did the facts—and the folklore.
One user, L.M., chimed in with some sobering clarity:
“Human swimming is not permitted. As with many fresh waterways in the state, the risk of Harmful Algae Blooms increases during the summer, and cyanobacterial toxin poisoning can be fatal for dogs.”
If that wasn’t enough to convince dog owners to stay on land, others warned of snapping turtles, leeches, and yes—even alleged lake monsters.
“We Used to Swim in It…”
The back-and-forth wasn’t without nostalgia.
“I’ve been rope swinging that water since I was 13, and I’m perfectly fine,” said J.K., giving off big ‘survived-the-90s’ energy.
A.K. added, “I’ve swam in there with dogs before.”
But for every lake-dipper defending the joy of a cooling plunge, someone else responded with a firm no. Some cited bacteria, others simply gave off a vibe of ‘I’ve seen things.’
One especially vivid warning came from C.S.:
“There are TONS of leeches in that lake. Stay away!!”
Beneath the Surface: A Superfund Past
What many residents may not realize is that East Brunswick has long carried environmental baggage. A few commenters remembered.
S.G. posted:
“I grew up off Riva Ave in EB with a Superfund Site on Fresh Ponds in our backyard. This was the 80s & the groundwater there is still contaminated.”
And G.G. backed it up:
“It is still listed as a Superfund site today. They’re trying to clean it up but yes, definitely still a source of contamination.”
Superfund status, for those unfamiliar, is a federal designation for the most polluted sites in the nation requiring long-term cleanup. New Jersey holds the dubious title of having the most Superfund sites in the U.S., with over 100.
That number includes areas near Farrington Lake. Even if not every inch of the lake is toxic, the stigma lingers.
The Bottom Line (and Maybe a Few Leeches)
Is Farrington Lake a scenic gem? Absolutely.
Is it a great place for kayaking, fishing, and snapping Instagram pics at sunset? Totally.
Is it a safe spot to let your dog paddle around like it’s a chlorinated puppy pool? That’s where the locals draw the line.
And sometimes, the best way to enjoy the water is from the shore, with your dog leashed, your shoes on, and a healthy respect for both nature and history.
As one local summed it up:
“New Jersey water is nasty.”
Take that as you will.
