East Branch Reservoir Dam

About East Branch Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of East Branch Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by County Of Somerset (local government). It impounds the East Branch near Bound Brook.

The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 142 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 55 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1905, 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 11/05/2024.

At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.

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.

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