Great Gorge Dam
Great Gorge Dam is an earth dam located in Sussex County, New Jersey, built in 1971. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Great Gorge Dam
The primary purpose of Great Gorge 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 Mountain Creek Resort (private). It impounds the Black River-tr near Vernon.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 160 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 290 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1971, 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 03/13/2025.
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 | Vernon |
| River/Stream | Black River-tr |
| Coordinates | 41.16083, -74.52525 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 160 ft |
| Year Completed | 1971 (55 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 290 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 290 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 280 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 23 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 25 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Mountain Creek Resort |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/13/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00661 |
| Federal ID | NJ00661 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |