Mountain Lake Dam dam
Mountain Lake Dam
Mountain Lake Dam, located in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a local government-owned structure regulating the flow of Troy Brook. This Earth-type dam stands at 15 feet high and spans a length of 100 feet, providing recreational opportunities in the Mountain Lakes Borough area. With a normal storage capacity of 760 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 79 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a crucial water resource for the region.
Despite its high hazard potential, Mountain Lake Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, last inspected in December 2020. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk assessment measures are currently under review, ensuring the safety and preparedness of the surrounding community in the event of an emergency. The dam's regulatory oversight by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) ensures compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements, highlighting its significance in water resource management within the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mountain Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure management and the intersection of recreation and water conservation. Its strategic location and role in regulating water flow underscore its importance in maintaining a balance between human activities, ecological preservation, and emergency preparedness in the face of changing climate dynamics. As efforts continue to enhance its safety and resilience, Mountain Lake Dam stands as a testament to the ongoing challenges and opportunities in sustainable water resource management.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Mountain Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rockaway River Above Reservoir At Boonton Nj | 472 cfs | → |
| Rockaway River Below Reservoir At Boonton Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| Whippany River At Morristown Nj | 24 cfs | → |
| Whippany River Near Pine Brook Nj | 34 cfs | → |
| Whippany River Near Morristown Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Passaic River At Pine Brook Nj | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
- Island Avenue Little Falls
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- Veterans Court Passaic
Track Mountain Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Mountain Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mountain Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Mountain Lake Dam.