Lake Hopatcong is a 1,087 ha lake located in the suburban New York metropolitan area in Sussex and Morris Counties, N.J., and is the head waters of the Musconetcong River in the Delaware River Drainage Basin. The lake watershed is 5,483 ha in area with 71 percent forested and 25 percent in high-density residential development that is clustered around the immediate shoreline of the lake. The recreational use of the lake is extremely heavy, with an excessive number of large motor boats. Also, stormwater from the residential areas empties directly into the lake via storm sewers and direct runoff. Preliminary analysis of selected sediment samples indicated substantial levels of metals (especially lead) in the surficial sediments. As part of a Sec. 314 Lake Restoration study a series of 30 shallow sediment core samples were taken at various locations throughout the lake. These were analyzed for lead, aluminum, iron, zinc, mercury, cadmium and percent of solids. The results indicated significant concentrations of lead and zinc in the most recent sediments as compared to the background levels in the older and deeper sediments. Also, the spatial distribution of sediment metals within the lake was investigated to attempt to identify their sources. The implications of these findings and management implications based on the information are discussed.