Morris County Parks: Work Progressing on Canty Lake Dam Project at Silas Condict Park

Published on July 27, 2017

A contractor for the Morris County Park Commission has completed the draining of Canty Lake and clearing of the embankment area for a $1.1 million dam replacement project for the 6.8-acre lake which is located in Silas Condict County Park in Kinnelon.

(JPG, 39KB) Canty Lake

Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana updated local residents and officials on the Park Commission project last night when the Freeholder Board met in Kinnelon. Cabana said the project, which began in April, is scheduled for completion in early November.

The dam is the last of five Class II "Significant Hazard Dams'' that the Park Commission has rehabilitated in the last 15 years. Canty Lake dam is being being rehabilitated and the spillway is being widened to meet current state Department of Environmental Protection standards. (Visit Cantys-Dam-July-2017)(PDF, 2MB)

The contractor hired for the project is Ron-Jon Construction of Butler. Civil Dynamics of Stockholm in Sussex County was hired for the design and construction management. Prior to starting work, the Park Commission had to get permits from the DEP's Bureau of Dam Safety, Division of Land Use Regulation, and Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries, plus approvals from the Morris County Soil Conservation District.(JPG, 34KB)

Also, an Indiana Bat survey was performed because bat nesting trees cannot be removed from April 1 through Sept. 30. The survey identified no nesting bats.

In addition to lake draining and embankment clearing, the contractor now is working on placing fill on the upstream face of the embankment and soon will begin to install forms for the concrete crest wall that will be constructed.

Silas Condict County Park is comprised of 1509 acres with 12 miles of trails that meander through the park, connecting several scenic overlooks. Thes park offers seasonal recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, paddle boating, cross-country skiing, and sledding.

There are reservable picnic sites, tents, and a shelter, and a ball field. Picturesque Canty Lake is partially lined with weeping cherry trees, and sits adjacent to The Casin, a historic stone building that was renovated and now hosts parties, wedding and other events.

A new recreation benefit as part of the ongoing dam replacement project will be pedestrian access to the dam side of the lake for fishing and hiking. Previously the dam could not be crossed or used for recreational purposes.

For more on Silas Condict County Park, visit: http://m66.siteground.biz/~morrispa/index.php/parks/silas-condict-park