Colonial Lake Dam

Shabakunk Creek· Mercer, New Jersey· Built 1925· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Colonial Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 31.2% in NJ)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage85 acre-ft
Normal Storage59 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge1,480 cfs
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDNJ00261

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: July 29, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Township of Lawrence

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Colonial Lake Dam?

Colonial 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 Colonial Lake Dam?

Colonial Lake Dam is owned by Township of Lawrence (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Colonial Lake Dam built?

Colonial Lake Dam was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Colonial Lake Dam?

Colonial 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 Colonial Lake Dam?

Colonial Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Colonial Lake Dam last inspected?

Colonial Lake Dam was last inspected on July 29, 2020. 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.