Peddie Lake Dam

Rocky Brook· Mercer, New Jersey· Built 1923· Concrete· 15 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Peddie Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1923 and is 103 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 15 ft (taller than 51.4% in NJ)
Dam Length72 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage154 acre-ft
Normal Storage63 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge860 cfs
Year Completed1923 (103 years old)
NID IDNJ00149

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: July 13, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Borough of Hightstown

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Peddie Lake Dam?

Peddie 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 Peddie Lake Dam?

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

When was Peddie Lake Dam built?

Peddie Lake Dam was completed in 1923, making it 103 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 Peddie Lake Dam?

Peddie 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 Peddie Lake Dam?

Peddie Lake Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Peddie Lake Dam last inspected?

Peddie Lake Dam was last inspected on July 13, 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.