Lionshead Lake Dam

Haycock Brook· Passaic, New Jersey· Built 1939· Earth· 27 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lionshead Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 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 27 ft (taller than 87.9% in NJ)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,530 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDNJ00254

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 13, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Township of Wayne

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lionshead Lake Dam?

Lionshead 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 Lionshead Lake Dam?

Lionshead Lake Dam is owned by Township of Wayne (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lionshead Lake Dam built?

Lionshead Lake Dam was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Lionshead Lake Dam?

Lionshead 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 Lionshead Lake Dam?

Lionshead Lake Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Lionshead Lake Dam last inspected?

Lionshead Lake Dam was last inspected on December 13, 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.