Echo Lake Spillway Dam

Macopin River· Passaic, New Jersey· Built 1926· Earth· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Echo Lake Spillway Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1926 and is 100 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 Length260 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage7.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.9K acre-ft
Surface Area300 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge3,376 cfs
Year Completed1926 (100 years old)
NID IDNJ00558

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: April 9, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

City of Newark, Department of Water and Sewer Utilities

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Echo Lake Spillway Dam?

Echo Lake Spillway 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 Echo Lake Spillway Dam?

Echo Lake Spillway Dam is owned by City of Newark, Department of Water and Sewer Utilities (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Echo Lake Spillway Dam built?

Echo Lake Spillway Dam was completed in 1926, making it 100 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 Echo Lake Spillway Dam?

Echo Lake Spillway Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Echo Lake Spillway Dam?

Echo Lake Spillway 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 Echo Lake Spillway Dam last inspected?

Echo Lake Spillway Dam was last inspected on April 9, 2021. 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.