Thomas Rich Dam

Paulinskill River-TR· Sussex, New Jersey· Built 1926· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Thomas Rich Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1926 and is 100 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 39.5% in NJ)
Dam Length80 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage64 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1926 (100 years old)
NID IDNJ00273

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: May 24, 2007
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Division of Fish & Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thomas Rich Dam?

Thomas Rich 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 Thomas Rich Dam?

Thomas Rich 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 Thomas Rich Dam built?

Thomas Rich Dam was completed in 1926, making it 100 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 Thomas Rich Dam?

Thomas Rich 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 Thomas Rich Dam?

Thomas Rich 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 Thomas Rich Dam last inspected?

Thomas Rich Dam was last inspected on May 24, 2007. 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.