Darlington Lake Dam

Darlington Brook· Bergen, New Jersey· Built 1951· Earth· 19 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Darlington Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 70% in NJ)
Dam Length470 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage77 acre-ft
Surface Area26 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge288 cfs
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDNJ00230

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: August 18, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

County of Bergen Department of Parks

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Darlington Lake Dam?

Darlington Lake 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 Darlington Lake Dam?

Darlington Lake Dam is owned by County of Bergen Department of Parks (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Darlington Lake Dam built?

Darlington Lake Dam was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Darlington Lake Dam?

Darlington 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 Darlington Lake Dam?

Darlington Lake Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Darlington Lake Dam last inspected?

Darlington Lake Dam was last inspected on August 18, 2022. 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.