It is the second largest body of water in New Jersey by area, after Lake Hopatcong.

Upon completion, the Wanaque Reservoir supplied water to several member municipalities including Bloomfield, Clifton, Glen Ridge, Kearny, Montclair, Newark, Passaic, and Paterson.

A major feature that came with the construction of Wanaque Reservoir was the West Brook Road Bridge.

The bridge was constructed to carry the re-located West Brook Road across the Wanaque Reservoir.

Construction of the West Brook Road Bridge began in 1926 and it was opened to traffic in 1928.