Forest Lake Dam

Pequest River-TR· Sussex, New Jersey· Built 1951· Masonry· 20 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Forest Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 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	20 ft (taller than 72.4% in NJ)
Dam Length	300 ft
Dam Type	Masonry
Normal Storage	61 acre-ft

Surface Area	30 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
Max Discharge	2 cfs
Year Completed	1951 (75 years old)
NID ID	NJ00324

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: December 3, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Forest Lakes Club

Private

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Hemlock Lake Dam

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Johnson Lake Dam

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Cranberry Lake Dam

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Lake Lenape Dam

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Lake Aeroflex Dam

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Lake Valentine Dam

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Lake Lackawanna Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Forest Lake Dam?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam is owned by Forest Lakes Club (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Forest Lake Dam built?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Forest Lake Dam last inspected?

Forest Lake Dam was last inspected on December 3, 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.