Upper Aetna Lake Dam
Upper Aetna Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Burlington County, New Jersey, built in 1928. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper Aetna Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Upper Aetna Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Borough Of Medford Lakes (local government). It impounds the Sharps Branch Of Haynes Creek near Medford.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 254 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1928, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 02/21/2024.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Burlington |
| Nearest City | Medford |
| River/Stream | Sharps Branch Of Haynes Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.85700, -74.79868 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 254 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 254 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 136 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 23 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 375 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Borough of Medford Lakes |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/21/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00420 |
| Federal ID | NJ00420 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |