Great Falls
Great Falls is a masonry dam located in Passaic County, New Jersey, built in 1840. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Great Falls
The primary purpose of Great Falls is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Paterson Municipal Utilities Authority (local government). It impounds the Passaic River near Paterson.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 325 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 202 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,415 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 785 square miles. Completed in 1840, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 05/02/2018.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Passaic |
| Nearest City | Paterson |
| River/Stream | Passaic River |
| Coordinates | 40.91530, -74.18240 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 325 ft |
| Year Completed | 1840 (186 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,415 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,415 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,415 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 202 acres |
| Drainage Area | 785 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 23,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Paterson Municipal Utilities Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/02/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00663 |
| Federal ID | NJ00663 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |