View damage to NJ Dams

More than 14-inches of rain fell in a small area of southeastern Sussex and northwestern Morris County in northwestern New Jersey during August 11-14, 2000.

Flood peaks at some U.S. Geological Survey gauging stations on Lake Hopatcong, Musconetcong River, Green Pond Brook, Rockaway River, and Russia Brook tributary were the highest ever recorded.

About 2,700 homes and businesses in Sussex, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon Counties were flooded, and about 2,600 people were evacuated.

Many bridges, dams, and roads were damaged or destroyed. Damage was estimated at $179 million, and Sussex and Morris Counties were declared Federal Disaster Areas. (Courtesy U.S.G.S. Fact Sheet FS-104-01, Dec. 2001)

The areas hit most severely were in Sussex and Morris Counties, with the storm centered over the townships of Sparta, Hopatcong and Jefferson. A total of four dams completely failed as a result of the ensuing floods.

Automated rain gauges from the New Jersey Automated Flood Warning System (AFWS), under the National Weather Service (NWS) reported rainfall data of 5.67 inches and 8.49 inches for West Wharton and Berkshire Valley respectively. These readings were taken over a 24-hour duration from 8:00 AM, Saturday, August 12, 2000 to 8:00 AM, Sunday, August 13, 2000. Preliminary rainfall data from the Passaic Flood Warning System reported rainfall gauge recordings of 18.65 inches* and 14.11 inches* for Jefferson Township and Sparta Mt. respectively. See graphical display of rainfall.

As a result of the flooding, the Dam Safety Section dispatched emergency inspection teams, consisting of section engineers, to assess damages and hazards associated with the area dams. Engineers conducted preliminary inspections of the entire impacted area on Sunday, August 13, 2000. Beginning on Monday, August 14, 2000 and ending on Thursday, August 17, 2000, teams were sent to specific areas to conduct more detailed investigations of all affected dams.

The NJDEP Dam Safety Section inspected over 50 dams to assess the impact of the storm. To date, the Section documented complete failure of four dams and notable damage to an additional 26 dams. The following table identifies the dams that were damaged by the storm: