Pinecliff Lake Dam

Belcher's Creek· Passaic, New Jersey· Built 1927· Earth· 15 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Pinecliff Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 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 Length820 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage695 acre-ft
Surface Area143 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
NID IDNJ00012

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: March 22, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Pinecliff Lake Community Club, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pinecliff Lake Dam?

Pinecliff 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 Pinecliff Lake Dam?

Pinecliff Lake Dam is owned by Pinecliff Lake Community Club, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pinecliff Lake Dam built?

Pinecliff 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 Pinecliff Lake Dam?

Pinecliff 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 Pinecliff Lake Dam?

Pinecliff 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 Pinecliff Lake Dam last inspected?

Pinecliff Lake Dam was last inspected on March 22, 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.