Verona Lake Dam

Peckman River· Essex, New Jersey· Built 1903· Masonry· 13 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Verona Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1903 and is 123 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 13 ft (taller than 39.5% in NJ)
Dam Length438 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage52 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,298 cfs
Year Completed1903 (123 years old)
NID IDNJ00386

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: April 8, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

County of Essex Department of Public Works

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Verona Lake Dam?

Verona Lake 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 Verona Lake Dam?

Verona Lake Dam is owned by County of Essex Department of Public Works (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Verona Lake Dam built?

Verona 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 Verona Lake Dam?

Verona 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 Verona Lake Dam?

Verona Lake 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 Verona Lake Dam last inspected?

Verona Lake Dam was last inspected on April 8, 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.