Sunrise Lake Dam

Whippany River-TR· Morris, New Jersey· Built 1930· Earth· 18 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sunrise Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 66.3% in NJ)
Dam Length495 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage30 acre-ft
Normal Storage22 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge55 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDNJ00808

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 10, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

County of Morris Park Commission

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise Lake Dam is owned by County of Morris Park Commission (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sunrise Lake Dam built?

Sunrise Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise 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 Sunrise Lake Dam?

Sunrise Lake 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 Sunrise Lake Dam last inspected?

Sunrise Lake Dam was last inspected on November 10, 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.