Morris Lake Dam
Morris Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Sussex County, New Jersey, built in 1895. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Morris Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Morris Lake 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 Town Of Newton (local government). It impounds the Wallkill River-tr near Sparta.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 160 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 157 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,985 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1895, 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 12/17/2024.
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 | Sparta |
| River/Stream | Wallkill River-tr |
| Coordinates | 41.04313, -74.60707 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 160 ft |
| Year Completed | 1895 (131 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,985 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,985 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,470 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 157 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 283 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Newton |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/17/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00306 |
| Federal ID | NJ00306 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |