Star Lake Upper Dam

Pequannock River-TR· Passaic, New Jersey· Built 1900· Earth· 11 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Star Lake Upper Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 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 11 ft (taller than 25.9% in NJ)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage150 acre-ft
Normal Storage115 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge35 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDNJ00221

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 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Star Lake Camp and Conference Center

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Star Lake Upper Dam?

Star Lake Upper 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 Star Lake Upper Dam?

Star Lake Upper Dam is owned by Star Lake Camp and Conference Center (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Star Lake Upper Dam built?

Star Lake Upper Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Star Lake Upper Dam?

Star Lake Upper 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 Star Lake Upper Dam?

Star Lake Upper Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Star Lake Upper Dam last inspected?

Star Lake Upper Dam was last inspected on July 1, 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.