Parker Avenue Dam

North Branch of Forked River· Ocean, New Jersey· Built 1955· Earth· 10 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Parker Avenue Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 10 ft (taller than 17.8% in NJ)
Dam Length1,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage125 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge1,120 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDNJ00055

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: September 9, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Township of Lacey

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Parker Avenue Dam?

Parker Avenue 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 Parker Avenue Dam?

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

When was Parker Avenue Dam built?

Parker Avenue Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Parker Avenue Dam?

Parker Avenue 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 Parker Avenue Dam?

Parker Avenue 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 Parker Avenue Dam last inspected?

Parker Avenue Dam was last inspected on September 9, 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.