Willow Crest Dam
Willow Crest Dam is an earth dam located in Sussex County, New Jersey, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Willow Crest Dam
The primary purpose of Willow Crest Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Division Of Parks And Forestry (state). It impounds the Black Brook near Swartswood.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 351 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 11/16/2023.
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 | Sussex |
| Nearest City | Swartswood |
| River/Stream | Black Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.10123, -74.84310 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 351 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 351 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 168 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,113 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Division of Parks and Forestry |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/16/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00272 |
| Federal ID | NJ00272 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |