Cherokee Lake Dam

India Brook· Morris, New Jersey· Built 1948· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Cherokee Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 25.9% in NJ)
Dam Length680 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage61 acre-ft
Normal Storage36 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge412 cfs
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDNJ00785

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: December 9, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

SJC Builders, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cherokee Lake Dam?

Cherokee Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cherokee Lake Dam?

Cherokee Lake Dam is owned by SJC Builders, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cherokee Lake Dam built?

Cherokee Lake Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Cherokee Lake Dam?

Cherokee 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 Cherokee Lake Dam?

Cherokee Lake Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Cherokee Lake Dam last inspected?

Cherokee Lake Dam was last inspected on December 9, 2008. 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.