Sheppards Mill Pond Dam

Mill Creek· Cumberland, New Jersey· Built 1885· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sheppards Mill Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1885 and is 141 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 66.3% in NJ)
Dam Length415 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage630 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area90 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge580 cfs
Year Completed1885 (141 years old)
NID IDNJ00072

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: February 24, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Division of Fish & Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sheppards Mill Pond Dam?

Sheppards Mill Pond Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Sheppards Mill Pond Dam?

Sheppards Mill Pond Dam is owned by Division of Fish & Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sheppards Mill Pond Dam built?

Sheppards Mill Pond Dam was completed in 1885, making it 141 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 Sheppards Mill Pond Dam?

Sheppards Mill Pond 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 Sheppards Mill Pond Dam?

Sheppards Mill Pond Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Sheppards Mill Pond Dam last inspected?

Sheppards Mill Pond Dam was last inspected on February 24, 2014. 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.