Located in West Milford Township, New Jersey, the Lake Arcadia Dam #1 Dam is a concrete structure completed in 1926 for the primary purpose of recreation.
Wind
Humidity
With a height of 22 feet and a length of 315 feet, the dam impounds Bear Swamp Brook, creating a surface area of 86 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 1,000 acre-feet. Despite its recreational value, the dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential and is currently in poor condition, as assessed in October 2021.
Owned privately, the dam falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which oversees its permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain safety features such as an emergency action plan (EAP) and inundation maps, it is subject to regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. Given its condition assessment and hazard potential, the Lake Arcadia Dam #1 Dam serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring aging infrastructure in the face of evolving climate conditions.
As a key feature of the Passaic County landscape, the Lake Arcadia Dam #1 Dam poses both opportunities for recreation and potential risks in the event of a failure. With its historical significance dating back nearly a century, the dam serves as a testament to the engineering achievements of the past while highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing water resources and climate impacts in the present day. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the state of dams like Lake Arcadia Dam #1, they play a vital role in promoting resilience and sustainability in the face of a changing environment.
Year Completed |
1926 |
Dam Length |
315 |
Dam Height |
22 |
River Or Stream |
Bear Swamp Brook |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
86 |
Drainage Area |
0.4 |
Nid Storage |
1000 |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Nid Height |
22 |