Lake Tappan Dike

Hackensack River· Bergen, New Jersey· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Tappan Dike is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 72.4% in NJ)
Dam Length2,500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage8.0K acre-ft
Surface Area560 acres
Drainage Area49 sq mi
Max Discharge45,000 cfs
NID IDNJ00898

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: April 1, 2000
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Suez Water New Jersey

Private

Nearby Dams

Lake Tappan Dam

Bergen, NJ

High Hazard 34 ft

Mill Pond Dam

Bergen, NJ

High Hazard 21 ft

Woodcliff Lake Dam

Bergen, NJ

High Hazard 38 ft

Hackensack Golf Club Dam

Bergen, NJ

Significant Hazard 12 ft

Washington Lake South Dam

Bergen, NJ

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Ibm Edcenter Dam A

Rockland, NY

Significant Hazard 26 ft

Washington Lake West Dam

Bergen, NJ

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Oradell Reservoir Dam

Bergen, NJ

High Hazard 25 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Tappan Dike?

Lake Tappan Dike is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Tappan Dike?

Lake Tappan Dike is owned by Suez Water New Jersey (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Tappan Dike?

Lake Tappan Dike 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 Lake Tappan Dike?

Lake Tappan Dike 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 Lake Tappan Dike last inspected?

Lake Tappan Dike was last inspected on April 1, 2000. 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.