Mountain Valley Park Dam

North Branch Raritan River· Morris, New Jersey· Built 1950· Earth· 10 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mountain Valley Park Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 17.8% in NJ)
Dam Length160 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDNJ00953

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 28, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Borough of Mendham

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mountain Valley Park Dam?

Mountain Valley Park Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Mountain Valley Park Dam?

Mountain Valley Park Dam is owned by Borough of Mendham (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mountain Valley Park Dam built?

Mountain Valley Park Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Mountain Valley Park Dam?

Mountain Valley Park 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 Mountain Valley Park Dam?

Mountain Valley Park Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Mountain Valley Park Dam last inspected?

Mountain Valley Park Dam was last inspected on September 28, 2022. 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.