Swartswood Lake Dam

Paulskill River· Sussex, New Jersey· Built 1903· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Swartswood Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1903 and is 123 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 59.4% in NJ)
Dam Length160 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage4.0K acre-ft
Surface Area516 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1903 (123 years old)
NID IDNJ00171

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: April 18, 2005
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Division of Parks and Forestry

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swartswood Lake Dam?

Swartswood Lake 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 Swartswood Lake Dam?

Swartswood 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.

When was Swartswood Lake Dam built?

Swartswood Lake Dam was completed in 1903, making it 123 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 Swartswood Lake Dam?

Swartswood 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 Swartswood Lake Dam?

Swartswood Lake Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Swartswood Lake Dam last inspected?

Swartswood Lake Dam was last inspected on April 18, 2005. 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.