Thursday, March 4, 2021

Atlantic County Works to Expedite Lake Lenape Dam Rehabilitation

While Atlantic County and Hamilton Township await final state permit approvals for the rehabilitation of Lake Lenape Dam in Mays Landing, County Executive Dennis Levinson wants to assure residents the county is working to expedite the process.

“Anyone who has ever been involved in these type of projects knows it is a time-consuming process that requires approvals from multiple agencies. In this case, because of the historic nature of the Lake Lenape Dam, it is even more involved,” stated Levinson.

The dam was built in the mid-1800s and used by a cotton mill. It closed in 1949. The township acquired it in 1978 and the county became a co-owner several years later to share the financial burden with the township.

In its 2020 inspection, New Jersey Dam Safety found the dam in poor condition but with no observable indications of geo-technical instability.

The county, township and residents who live along the lake are anxious for this project to come to fruition. The project includes improvements to the powerhouse and the rehabilitation of the dam.

“Our licensed planning and engineering professionals are in regular communication with all necessary parties,” Levinson noted.  “This includes the township and representatives of NJ Dam Safety, NJDEP, the State Historic Preservation Office and others, that can help move this project to completion.”

 

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