Pohatcong Lake Dam improvement project
wraps up in Tuckerton
NJDOT began construction operations along Route 9 in spring 2011
(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced that the ongoing Pohatcong Lake spillway and dam structure improvement project has reached substantial completion along Route 9 in Tuckerton Borough, Ocean County.
NJDOT’s contractor, Marbro Inc., began initial dam reconstruction operations in April 2011. The purpose of the $6.3 million project was to bring the dam up to the requirements of the Safe Dam Act, constructing a new spillway capable of handling water flow from a ‘100 year storm event’ without the dam overtopping. The new spillway features a gate to control low water level release. An additional, larger culvert was constructed to supplement the existing one and new NJDEP Fish, Game and Wildlife fish ladders were installed in the dam.
To prevent dam failure during potential overtopping storm events, steel sheeting was installed underground along the dam adjacent to Route 9 northbound. In addition, Route 9 has been reconstructed and repaved along the entire length of the dam.
The dam, located across the Tuckerton River, and dam embankments are owned and maintained by NJDOT. The dam embankments support Route 9, which is heavily traveled during the summer months. The lake is owned and maintained by the borough, which is responsible for the operation of the primary and secondary spillways.
The project was originally scheduled for completion in spring 2013, but additional work added to the contract and the impacts from Superstorm Sandy stretched the work schedule into the fall.
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