Paulinskill Lake Dam
Paulinskill Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Sussex County, New Jersey, built in 1927. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Paulinskill Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Paulinskill Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Paulins Kill Lake Association (private). It impounds the Paulins Kill River.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 170 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,120 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 66 square miles. Completed in 1927, 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 03/01/2024.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Sussex |
| River/Stream | Paulins Kill River |
| Coordinates | 41.05233, -74.82687 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,120 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,120 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 170 acres |
| Drainage Area | 66 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,580 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Paulins Kill Lake Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/01/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00274 |
| Federal ID | NJ00274 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |