POMPTON FALLS

The first dam was a wooden one built across the Ramapo River to develop water power for the Furnace. The Ramapo at that point had a natural 15 foot reef of trap rock.

The waters backed up at the dam and created Pompton Lake, a picturesque scene with sparkling waters surrounded by wooded mountains.

During the disastrous flood of 1903, the dam was breached and the flood caused numerous damage to the southern part of Pompton Lakes. Many homes were swept away and others were severely damaged.

It wasn't until 1909 that the present dam was constructed and the beauty of the falls in Pompton Lakes was restored.

The roadway, Rt. 202, passes along the edge of the falls. The bridge at that point is over the cascading Ramapo on its way to meet the joined Pequannock and Wanaque Rivers to form the Ramapo River.