The Wanaque Reservoir UFO

On January 11, 1966, police officers and hundreds of residents in Wanaque, New Jersey observed a brilliant unidentified object hovering over the local reservoir. The object remained for approximately two hours, at times shining a beam of light down onto the frozen water surface.

The Location

Wanaque Reservoir:

• Northern New Jersey
• Passaic County
• Water supply
• Rural area
• Clear viewing

The Night

January 11, 1966:

• Cold winter evening
• Clear conditions
• Multiple reports
• Police dispatched
• Extended observation

First Reports

Calls came in:

• Strange light seen
• Over reservoir
• Hovering
• Bright object
• Not moving normally

Police Response

Officers dispatched:

• Multiple departments
• Witnessed object
• Called in reports
• Hundreds arriving
• Traffic jam formed

The Object

Witnesses described:

• Extremely bright
• White or blue-white
• Disc or oval shape
• Hovering capability
• Beam of light

The Light Beam

Most remarkably:

• Object shone light
• Down to reservoir
• Onto frozen surface
• Scanning motion
• Intelligent behavior

Sergeant Ben Thompson

Wanaque Police:

• Key witness
• Professional observer
• Detailed report
• Watched extensively
• Credible account

Duration

The sighting lasted:

• Approximately two hours
• Many watched entire time
• Object eventually departed
• Moved away
• Disappeared

The Crowd

People gathered:

• Hundreds came
• Word spread
• Traffic congestion
• Mass observation
• Community event

Radar Confirmation

Reports suggest:

• Radar contact
• At nearby facility
• Corroborating evidence
• Officially denied
• Questions remain

Other Nights

Following days:

• More sightings reported
• Same general area
• Similar objects
• Pattern emerging
• Wave beginning

Media Coverage

Story received:

• Local newspaper coverage
• Regional attention
• National interest
• Well-documented
• Multiple sources

Official Response

Authorities:

• No explanation offered
• Some suggested helicopter
• But witnesses disagreed
• Movement wrong
• Light beam unexplained

The 1966 Wave

Part of larger:

• Northeast wave
• Multiple sightings
• Various locations
• Same period
• Pattern visible

Significance

Wanaque is significant for:

• Police witnesses
• Extended duration
• Light beam phenomenon
• Mass observation
• Well-documented

Legacy

The Wanaque Reservoir UFO sighting demonstrated that unexplained objects could hover over populated areas for extended periods while being witnessed by law enforcement and hundreds of civilians. The light beam directed at the water adds an element of apparent purpose.