The Great Falls at Duke Farms

An Engineered Waterfall Showcasing Innovation And Conservation

The Great Falls at Duke Farms is a historic, engineered waterfall designed by James Buchanan Duke in the early 1900s as part of his vision to transform what was once farmland into a scenic and innovative landscape.

Located approximately 1.5 miles from the Orientation Center, the Great Falls are situated between the Duke Reservoir and Vista Lake, creating a striking visual feature. The Great Falls is more than a scenic feature—it's part of the original hydrological design that helps flush and circulate water through Duke Farms’ artificial lake system, supporting water quality and aquatic health.

The Great Falls at Duke Farms

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lakes aerated

Typically water flows from the Duke Reservoir down through the Falls, helping to aerate the lakes and move water through the interconnected system.

However, due to the ongoing drought and extremely low groundwater levels, the Falls is currently not running. Temporarily pausing flow helps conserve groundwater drawn from our on-site wells, which now supply the lakes since we discontinued pumping from the Raritan River.

This pause reflects Duke Farms’ commitment to sustainable water use, even during periods of environmental stress.

Visitors can enjoy scenic views which often feature a Bald Eagle soaring overhead, reflecting on Duke Farms' commitment to preserving history while promoting ecological stewardship

Where to Find the Great Falls

With New Jersey under a drought warning the Great Falls may not run as often to conserve water.

Lucky visitors will spot a Bald Eagle soaring overhead.

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Did You Know?

The Great Falls features one of the only knife valves of its type in the state. This unique engineering feature allows water to flow through the lake systems and down the falls when we aren't conserving water.