River Wall Dam, located in West Milford Township, New Jersey, is a concrete dam built in 1961 along the Pequannock River for recreational purposes.
Wind
Humidity
Standing at 26 feet tall and spanning 2020 feet in length, the dam has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 15 acres. Despite its recreational significance, the dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition, raising concerns about its safety and structural integrity.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, River Wall Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the most recent one conducted in April 2021. With a drainage area of 56.3 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 5600 cubic feet per second, the dam's maintenance and upkeep are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with its high hazard potential. Climate and water resource enthusiasts monitoring the impacts of climate change on dams and water infrastructure in the region may find River Wall Dam an intriguing case study due to its structural vulnerabilities and the potential implications for downstream communities.
As the dam's condition assessment remains poor and its hazard potential high, stakeholders, including local authorities and environmental agencies, may need to prioritize necessary repairs and risk management measures to ensure the safety of nearby residents and maintain the dam's functionality for recreational purposes. The data on River Wall Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring of aging infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing stress on water resources.
Year Completed |
1961 |
Dam Length |
2020 |
Dam Height |
26 |
River Or Stream |
Pequannock River |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
15 |
Drainage Area |
56.3 |
Nid Storage |
50 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Nid Height |
26 |