New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 20 - DAM SAFETY STANDARDS
Subchapter 1 - APPLICATION PROCEDURE; DESIGN CRITERIA FOR DAM CONSTRUCTION; DAM INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Section 7:20-1.8 - Dam classification
Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code 7:20-1.8
Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) The Department will use the following guidelines to classify dams according to hazard. Probable future development of the area downstream from the dam which might be affected by its failure will be considered in determining the hazard classification. The Department may, in its discretion, change the hazard class of any proposed or existing dam.
1. Class I--High Hazard Potential: This
classification includes those dams, the failure of which may cause the probable loss
of life or extensive property damage.
i. The
existence of normally occupied homes in the area that are susceptible to significant
damage in the event of a dam failure will be assumed to mean "probable loss of
life".
ii. Extensive property damage
means the destructive loss of industrial or commercial facilities, essential public
utilities, main highways, railroads or bridges. A dam may be classified as having a
high hazard potential based solely on high projected economic loss.
iii. Recreational facilities below a dam, such as
a campground or recreation area, may be sufficient reason to classify a dam as
having a high hazard potential.
2. Class II--Significant Hazard Potential: This
classification includes those dams, the failure of which may cause significant
damage to property and project operation, but loss of human life is not envisioned.
This classification applies to predominantly rural, agricultural areas, where dam
failure may damage isolated homes, major highways or railroads or cause interruption
of service of relatively important public utilities.
3. Class III--Low Hazard Potential: This
classification includes those dams, the failure of which would cause loss of the dam
itself but little or no additional damage to other property. This classification
applies to rural or agricultural areas where failure may damage farm buildings other
than residences, agricultural lands or non-major roads.
4. Class IV--Small Dams: This classification
includes any project which impounds less than 15 acres/feet of water to the top of
the dam, has less than 15 feet height-of-dam and which has a drainage area above the
dam of 150 acres or less in extent. No dam may be included in Class IV if it meets
the criteria for Class I or II. Any applicant may request consideration as a Class
III dam upon submission of a positive report and demonstration proving low
hazard.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Jersey may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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