Canistear Reservoir #1 Dam
Canistear Reservoir #1 Dam is an earth dam located in Sussex County, New Jersey, built in 1896. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Canistear Reservoir #1 Dam
The primary purpose of Canistear Reservoir #1 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 City Of Newark, Department Of Water And Sewer Utilities (local government). It impounds the Pacock Brook.
The dam stands 70 feet tall and stretches 680 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 302 acres, has a storage capacity of 7,400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1896, 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 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 11/01/2024.
At 70 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Sussex |
| River/Stream | Pacock Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.11113, -74.49213 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 680 ft |
| Year Completed | 1896 (130 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 302 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Newark, Department of Water and Sewer Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/01/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00485 |
| Federal ID | NJ00485 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |