Lake Carasaljo Dam

South Branch· Ocean, New Jersey· Built 1870· Earth· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Carasaljo Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1870 and is 156 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 16 ft (taller than 59.4% in NJ)
Dam Length1,700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage800 acre-ft
Normal Storage480 acre-ft
Surface Area92 acres
Drainage Area27 sq mi
Max Discharge2,240 cfs
Year Completed1870 (156 years old)
NID IDNJ00083

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: March 9, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

NJDOT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Carasaljo Dam?

Lake Carasaljo 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 Lake Carasaljo Dam?

Lake Carasaljo Dam is owned by NJDOT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Carasaljo Dam built?

Lake Carasaljo Dam was completed in 1870, making it 156 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 Lake Carasaljo Dam?

Lake Carasaljo 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 Lake Carasaljo Dam?

Lake Carasaljo Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Lake Carasaljo Dam last inspected?

Lake Carasaljo Dam was last inspected on March 9, 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.