Old Morris Canal Dam
Old Morris Canal Dam is a concrete dam located in Morris County, New Jersey, built in 1932. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Old Morris Canal Dam
The primary purpose of Old Morris Canal Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Boonton (local government). It impounds the Rockaway River near Boonton.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 55 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 118 square miles. Completed in 1932, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/12/2023.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Morris |
| Nearest City | Boonton |
| River/Stream | Rockaway River |
| Coordinates | 40.90747, -74.41833 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 26 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 118 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,854 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Boonton |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/12/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00173 |
| Federal ID | NJ00173 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |