IMPORTANT REHABILITATION/LAKE LOWERING REMINDER

This important reminder is being issued to alert engineers and dam owners regarding important guidance to ensure timely rehabilitation/construction project schedules.

The implementation of Dam Safety rehabilitation/construction projects often requires bodies of waters to be lowered.  A Water Lowering Permit, issued by the Department’s Division of Fish and Wildlife must be obtained to partially or completely lower a body of water, regardless of ownership. 

The purpose of this permit is to protect the state’s important aquatic resources that reside within, and downstream of the project area.  The timing, duration and extent of lowerings are tailored to each situation and are designed to avoid or minimize the loss of fish, and impacts to other biota.  As such, there may be critical timing restrictions during which waterbodies may or may not be lowered. 

To prevent unnecessary project delays, the Division of Dam Safety strongly recommends that project planners contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s fisheries professionals early in the planning process.  Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries personnel may be contacted at:

            Lebanon Field Office (North & Central) (908) 236-2118
            Southern Regional Office  (856) 629-4950

Specific water lowering guideline and application form can be found at:

www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/wtrlowerapp.pdf

Please note: Applications must be submitted at least two months prior to the date requested to begin lowering to allow sufficient time for review and processing.  There is a $2 application fee.  A separate application is required for each waterbody requested to be lowered.