“Imminent threat over”... Irene floods Lake Hopatcong

Sunday, 3 p.m.: Willa Scantlebury reports the following from Jefferson Township Sgt. Castimore, regarding Saffin Pond and Lake Shawnee dams: "The imminent threat is over... After the original surge, the water appears to be flowing normally."
 
Sunday: 1:30 p.m.: Confirmation from Steve Burns that the Saffin Pond dam broke and the Lake Shawnee dam is compromised.  Expect significant flooding on Lake Hopatcong, in addition to that that has already taken place.

Main Lake Market on Prospect Point... photo by Alice Szigethy
Sunday, 12:45 p.m.:  Reports are coming in from the Jefferson Township road crew that the Lake Winona dam has failed and the dam at Lake Shawnee is in perilous condition, which would mean a surge of water into Lake Hopatcong,  The water level is already above 10 feet at the Hopatcong State Park dam. Docks are underwater, boathouses and homes are flooding, and several communities around the lake have lost power due to the effects of Hurricane Irene. Though the now tropical storm has mostly moved northeast, major effects are likely to still be coming for awhile, particularly if the reports of failing dams prove to be true.

Windlass docks... photo by Alice Szigethy

River Styx... Photo by Kim Hussey
 
Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Despite a last-minute drop in water level ahead of Hurricane Irene, the storm's heavy rains put Lake Hopatcong above the 9.5-foot high-water mark at 4:15 a.m. on Sunday. The level has continued to rise to a height of nearly 10 feet at the Lake Hopatcong dam. This level brings the lake well into "no-wake restriction" territory—something that is likely to stay until well after the storm has passed. More important, it is reaching the level of boathouses, docks, and other structures around the lake. To see the current water-level, click here.