Great Notch Reservoir Dam
Great Notch Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Passaic County, New Jersey, built in 1898. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Great Notch Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Great Notch Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Passaic Valley Water Commission (local government). It impounds the Yantecaw Brook near West Paterson.
The dam stands 74 feet tall and stretches 460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 33 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 640 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1898, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 10/22/2024.
At 74 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The New Jersey dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Passaic |
| Nearest City | West Paterson |
| River/Stream | Yantecaw Brook |
| Coordinates | 40.87745, -74.19242 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 74 ft |
| Dam Height | 74 ft |
| Dam Length | 460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1898 (128 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 640 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 640 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 537 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 33 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 675 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Passaic Valley Water Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00244 |
| Federal ID | NJ00244 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |