Mirror Lake Dam

Rancocas Creek· Burlington, New Jersey· Built 1880· Earth· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mirror Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1880 and is 146 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 18 ft (taller than 66.3% in NJ)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area215 acres
Drainage Area37 sq mi
Max Discharge193 cfs
Year Completed1880 (146 years old)
NID IDNJ00458

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 8, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Township of Pemberton

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mirror Lake Dam?

Mirror 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 Mirror Lake Dam?

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

When was Mirror Lake Dam built?

Mirror Lake Dam was completed in 1880, making it 146 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 Mirror Lake Dam?

Mirror 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 Mirror Lake Dam?

Mirror Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Mirror Lake Dam last inspected?

Mirror Lake Dam was last inspected on April 8, 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.