OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Dam Safety Awareness
The Bureau of Dam Safety is continuing the outreach program to include both local emergency management agencies and large dam owners.
The following Powerpoint presentations are available:
The Dam Safety Newsletters
Dam Security Updates
The Department of Homeland Security, Infrastructure Protection Directorate, along with ASDSO state and federal volunteers plus volunteers from the dam owning community who sit on the Education Workgroup for the Sector Coordinating Council announce the completion of two publications. Focusing on educating dam owners about security issues, now available is the Dams Sector Security Awareness Guide. The Education Workgroup is also developing several other guidance documents that will be securely issued to state dam safety officials and owners on a need to know basis.
Any questions concerning security at dams located within the State should be directed to John Kale
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bureau of Dam Safety has compiled a list of frequently asked questions in regards to Dam Safety Rules, Laws, and Regulations as well as general information.
Historical Events
New Jersey has experienced a number of dam failures since the State Water Policy Commission began keeping records in the early 1900’s.
Dam failures can occur suddenly, without warning, and may occur during normal operating conditions. This is referred to as a “sunny-day” failure.
One such failure is the November 1927 failure of the Sarubbi Dam in Morris County. The sudden loss of concrete sections caused this dam to fail in November 1927.
Dam failures may also occur during a large storm event. Significant rainfall can quickly inundate an area and cause flood waters to overwhelm reservoir. If the spillway of the dam cannot safely pass the resulting flows, water will begin flowing in areas not designed for such flows and a failure may occur.
An example of an overtopping failure during a large storm event is the Tomahawk Lake Dam in Byram Township, Sussex County. This dam failed during a large storm event on August 11, 2000.
Click on the link(s) below to view storm data and resulting damage:
Over the years, New Jersey has seen significant property damage including damage or loss of dams, bridges, roads and buildings as a result of such storm events and dam failures.
The best way to mitigate the negative effects resulting from dam failures is through the proper construction, maintenance and operation of dams including maintaining and updating a current Emergency Action Plan for the dam.
To that end, the Department’s Bureau of Dam Safety administers the New Jersey Dam Safety Standards (N.J.A.C. 7:20) as well as the Safe Dam Act (N.J.S.A. 58-4).
