County Press Release Regarding the Lake Level

County Addresses Low Water Levels on Lake Lenape

Atlantic County officials are working to address concerns regarding the noticeably low water levels currently being experienced on Lake Lenape in Mays Landing.

Due to a lack of significant rainfall, the water levels are down substantially, according to Vince Jones, Atlantic County Emergency Management Coordinator.

The county is recommending that boaters on the lake reduce their speed to 5 mph and exercise caution to avoid exposed underwater hazards. The normal speed is 45 mph.

"We understand the concerns of nearby homeowners and local boaters and we are doing our best to ensure their safety under these temporary circumstances," stated County Executive Dennis Levinson.

The county has placed sand bags along the Lake Lenape dam gates to help minimize additional water loss and will continue to work with Hamilton Township officials and consulting engineers to seek additional alternatives.

The county is also working with O’Brien & Gere Engineers on the development of a plan for the installation of a cofferdam to improve the operation of the dam’s sluice gates. The proposed plan requires permit approvals from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"We have been diligently working to optimize the operation of the gates for over a year. We are now waiting for the appropriate DEP approvals to proceed," noted Levinson.

Following an April 2007 nor’easter, Lake Lenape experienced excessively high water levels which required emergency pumping to help draw down the levels to avoid street flooding. More than a year later the lake’s water levels are at a near record low.

Forecasts call for a chance of showers and thunderstorms over the next several days.

"Beach goers and vacationers may not like it, but we’d welcome some help from Mother Nature," concluded Levinson.

Linda Gilmore
Public Information Officer
County of Atlantic
Department of Administration
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Voice: 609-343-2313
FAX: 609-343-2194
gilmore_linda@aclink.org