News Department

Merrill Creek Reservoir temporarily closed due to confirmed cases of bird flu

HARMONY TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR), located in Harmony Township, has temporarily suspended public access to its facilities, including the visitor center, following confirmed cases of the Bird Flu virus (H5N1). This precautionary measure aims to protect the health and safety of visitors.

Recent reports indicate that the H5N1 virus has been detected in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and surrounding regions, primarily affecting waterfowl and other bird species that flock and roost together, such as snow geese and crows.

Several dead or sick birds were observed at MCR, prompting the staff to report the findings to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (NJDFW) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) for further evaluation. NJDFW has since confirmed that the virus was detected in the birds found at the reservoir.

As a safety measure, MCR has temporarily closed its facilities to prevent any potential exposure to the virus.

“We are coordinating closely with state and federal wildlife agencies, and we will keep you informed about this situation on our website and Facebook page regarding when we will reopen, ” officials said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.”

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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