Pleasant Valley Lake Dam

McVickers Brook· Morris, New Jersey· Built 1933· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Pleasant Valley Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1933 and is 93 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 35 ft (taller than 93.2% in NJ)
Dam Length365 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage270 acre-ft
Normal Storage125 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge2,779 cfs
Year Completed1933 (93 years old)
NID IDNJ00349

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: June 22, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Brookrace Homeowners Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pleasant Valley Lake Dam?

Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley Lake Dam?

Pleasant Valley Lake Dam is owned by Brookrace Homeowners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pleasant Valley Lake Dam built?

Pleasant Valley Lake Dam was completed in 1933, making it 93 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 Pleasant Valley Lake Dam?

Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley Lake Dam?

Pleasant Valley Lake Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Pleasant Valley Lake Dam last inspected?

Pleasant Valley Lake Dam was last inspected on June 22, 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.