Paulinskill Lake Dam

Paulins Kill River· Sussex, New Jersey· Built 1927· Earth· 29 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Paulinskill Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 89.4% in NJ)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area170 acres
Drainage Area66 sq mi
Max Discharge12,580 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
NID IDNJ00274

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: December 1, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Paulins Kill Lake Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Paulinskill Lake Dam?

Paulinskill Lake 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 Paulinskill Lake Dam?

Paulinskill Lake Dam is owned by Paulins Kill Lake Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Paulinskill Lake Dam built?

Paulinskill Lake Dam was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Paulinskill Lake Dam?

Paulinskill 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 Paulinskill Lake Dam?

Paulinskill Lake Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Paulinskill Lake Dam last inspected?

Paulinskill Lake Dam was last inspected on December 1, 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.