Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam
Key Takeaway
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. 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 | 22 ft (taller than 79.5% in NJ) |
| Dam Length | 750 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 143 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 155 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1909 (117 years old) |
| NID ID | NJ00256 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Pequannock Properties, LLC
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam?
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise 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 Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam?
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam is owned by Pequannock Properties, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam built?
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam?
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise 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 Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam?
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam last inspected?
Donald R. Wheeler (Surprise Lake) Dam was last inspected on July 16, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.