Bass Lake Dam

Blairs Creek· Warren, New Jersey· Built 1911· Concrete· 30 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bass Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 90.1% in NJ)
Dam Length108 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage325 acre-ft
Normal Storage310 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge63 cfs
Year Completed1911 (115 years old)
NID IDNJ00271

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 14, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Princeton Blairstown Center

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bass Lake Dam?

Bass Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bass Lake Dam?

Bass Lake Dam is owned by Princeton Blairstown Center (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bass Lake Dam built?

Bass Lake Dam was completed in 1911, making it 115 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bass Lake Dam?

Bass Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bass Lake Dam?

Bass Lake Dam has a dam height of 30 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bass Lake Dam last inspected?

Bass Lake Dam was last inspected on October 14, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.