Burnham Park Lower Dam

Whippany River· Morris, New Jersey· Concrete· 8 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Burnham Park Lower Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Jersey. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 5.1% in NJ)
Dam Length32 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Normal Storage15 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge125 cfs
NID IDNJ00902

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 15, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Town of Morristown

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Burnham Park Lower Dam?

Burnham Park Lower Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Burnham Park Lower Dam?

Burnham Park Lower Dam is owned by Town of Morristown (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Burnham Park Lower Dam?

Burnham Park Lower 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 Burnham Park Lower Dam?

Burnham Park Lower Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Burnham Park Lower Dam last inspected?

Burnham Park Lower Dam was last inspected on October 15, 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.