Wawayanda Lake Dam

Wawayanda Creek-TR· Sussex, New Jersey· Earth· 14 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Wawayanda Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. 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	14 ft (taller than 46.2% in NJ)
Dam Length	250 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Normal Storage	1.7K acre-ft

Surface Area	255 acres
Drainage Area	6 sq mi
NID ID	NJ00286

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: June 3, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

Division of Parks and Forestry

State Government

Nearby Dams

East Cove Dam

Sussex, NJ

High Hazard 15 ft

Barry Lakes #2 Dam

Sussex, NJ

Low Hazard 12 ft

South Barry Lake Dike

Sussex, NJ

Significant Hazard 6 ft

Barry Lakes #1 Dam

Sussex, NJ

Low Hazard 8 ft

Lake Wanda Dam

Sussex, NJ

Low Hazard 7 ft

East Highland Lake Dam

Sussex, NJ

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Upper East Highland Lake Dam

Sussex, NJ

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Highland Lakes Dam

Sussex, NJ

High Hazard 22 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wawayanda Lake Dam?

Wawayanda 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 Wawayanda Lake Dam?

Wawayanda 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.

What is the primary purpose of Wawayanda Lake Dam?

Wawayanda 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 Wawayanda Lake Dam?

Wawayanda Lake Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Wawayanda Lake Dam last inspected?

Wawayanda Lake Dam was last inspected on June 3, 2022. 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.