Clyde Potts Reservoir Dam
Clyde Potts Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Morris County, New Jersey, built in 1932. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Clyde Potts Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Clyde Potts 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 Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (local government). It impounds the Harmony Brook near Brookside.
The dam stands 80 feet tall and stretches 1,460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 46 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1932, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/07/2024.
At 80 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 | Morris |
| Nearest City | Brookside |
| River/Stream | Harmony Brook |
| Coordinates | 40.80790, -74.57963 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 80 ft |
| Dam Height | 80 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 46 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,700 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/07/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00352 |
| Federal ID | NJ00352 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |