Lake Tappan Dam (Lake Tappan)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Lake Tappan Dam
NID ID: NJ00246
Longitude: -74.0011
Latitude: 41.01833
Map Section: Old Tappan Borough
County: BERGEN
River: HACKENSACK RIVER
State: NJ
Nearest City: Old Tappan
Owner Name: UNITED WATER NEW JERSEY
Owner Type: Private
Private Dam? No
Purposes: Water Supply
Year Completed: 1966
Dam Length: 590 feet
Dam Height: 34 feet
Maximum Discharge: 27000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 13600 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 11815 acre-feet
Surface Area: 560 acres
Drainage Area: 49.2 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2011-11-21
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: NJDEP
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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