Ramapo Lake Dam

Ramapo River-TR· Bergen, New Jersey· Earth· 13 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Ramapo Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. 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	13 ft (taller than 39.5% in NJ)
Dam Length	300 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Normal Storage	240 acre-ft

Surface Area	90 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
NID ID	NJ00216

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: August 20, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Division of Parks and Forestry

State Government

Nearby Dams

Crystal Lake Dam

Bergen, NJ

Low Hazard 10 ft

Lake Tamarack Dam

Bergen, NJ

Low Hazard 11 ft

Stephens Lake Dam

Passaic, NJ

Significant Hazard 12 ft

Lake Vreeland Dam

Bergen, NJ

High Hazard 20 ft

Skyline Lake #1 (Lower) Dam

Passaic, NJ

High Hazard 16 ft

Skyline Lake #2 (Upper) Dam

Passaic, NJ

High Hazard 24 ft

Raymond Dam

Passaic, NJ

High Hazard 103 ft

Midvale Dam

Passaic, NJ

High Hazard 61 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ramapo Lake Dam?

Ramapo 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 Ramapo Lake Dam?

Ramapo Lake Dam is owned by Division of Parks and Forestry (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Ramapo Lake Dam?

Ramapo 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 Ramapo Lake Dam?

Ramapo Lake Dam has a dam height of 13 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 Ramapo Lake Dam last inspected?

Ramapo Lake Dam was last inspected on August 20, 2020. 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.