This study analyzed the relationship between land use and water quality in 4 lakes near West Milford, NJ: Greenwood Lake (heavily residential), Upper Greenwood Lake (also heavily residential), Wawayanda Lake (forested and protected), and Surprise Lake (remote and glacial, used as a control). Water samples from each lake were tested for dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature, turbidity, phosphates, nitrates, trace metals, and bacteria. Results showed the two residential lakes had higher levels of phosphates, nitrates, and some metals, indicating land use affects water pollution. The findings support the hypothesis that residential and developed land uses correlate with poorer lake water quality.