Deer Head Lake Dam

North Branch Forked River· Ocean, New Jersey· Earth· 9 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Deer Head Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. 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 9 ft (taller than 12.9% in NJ)
Dam Length660 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage350 acre-ft
Normal Storage220 acre-ft
Surface Area92 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge495 cfs
NID IDNJ00789

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: September 9, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Township of Lacey

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deer Head Lake Dam?

Deer Head 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 Deer Head Lake Dam?

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

What is the primary purpose of Deer Head Lake Dam?

Deer Head 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 Deer Head Lake Dam?

Deer Head Lake Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Deer Head Lake Dam last inspected?

Deer Head Lake Dam was last inspected on September 9, 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.