Monksville Dam

Monksville Dam is an other dam located in Passaic County, New Jersey, built in 1986. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Monksville Dam

The primary purpose of Monksville 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 North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (state). It impounds the Wanaque River.

The dam stands 150 feet tall and stretches 2,170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 533 acres, has a storage capacity of 27,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 42 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 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 10/17/2024.

At 150 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNew Jersey
CountyPassaic
River/StreamWanaque River
Coordinates41.12280, -74.29640

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeOther
NID Height150 ft
Dam Height150 ft
Dam Length2,170 ft
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage27,500 acre-ft
Normal Storage27,500 acre-ft
Surface Area533 acres
Drainage Area42 sq mi
Max Discharge21,684 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerNorth Jersey District Water Supply Commission
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/17/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNJ00843
Federal IDNJ00843
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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