Erskine Upper Lake Dam dam
Erskine Upper Lake Dam
Erskine Upper Lake Dam, located in Ringwood Borough, New Jersey, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1932, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 800 feet, with a storage capacity of 437 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Wanaque River-TR and is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
With a hazard potential rated as high, the dam's condition was assessed as satisfactory during its last inspection in December 2020. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 320 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 35 acres, serving as a popular recreational spot in the area. Despite not having a spillway type specified, Erskine Upper Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and providing a picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy.
Erskine Upper Lake Dam's significance lies in its contribution to water management and recreation in Passaic County, New Jersey. As a privately owned structure, it serves as a vital part of the local landscape and provides opportunities for outdoor activities. Its historical completion in the early 20th century and continued regulation by state authorities demonstrate its enduring importance in the region's water resource and climate conservation efforts.
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 Erskine Upper Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| West Brook Near Wanaque Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Wanaque R At Wanaque Nj | 14 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River Near Mahwah Nj | 73 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Suffern Ny | 35 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Ramapo Ny | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Erskine Upper Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ringwood-Ramapo Trail Ringwood
- Greenwood Lake Turnpike Ringwood
- Blue Lake Road Town Of Warwick
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
- Laurel Meadow Drive Town Of Warwick
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
Campgrounds
- Beaver Pond - Harriman State Park
- Beaver Pond Campsite
- Camp Lewis
- Rock Lodge Club
- Croton Point Park
- Blue Mountain Reservation
Fishing spots
Track Erskine Upper 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 Erskine Upper Lake Dam
Where does the data for Erskine Upper 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 Erskine Upper Lake Dam.