They are among New Jersey’s most dangerous dams, both in their condition and posing a severe risk to people and property. But a Kane In Your Corner investigation finds funding to repair them, approved by voters in a 2021 referendum, has yet to be released by state lawmakers.

The Lake Winona dam in Jefferson Township is not in good shape. A recent inspection found it to be in “poor” condition and in need of “maintenance, repairs (and) long-term improvements.” But funds to repair it are in limbo.

Dam inventory data analyzed by Kane In Your Corner finds the Lake Winona dam is one of 51 dams in New Jersey rated as being both in poor condition and at high risk of causing a hazard. More than a dozen of them are due to receive public funds to repair them. State lawmakers just have to sign off on releasing the funds.

“There’s four houses that were built directly below the dam, which if the dam were to fail - guaranteed life hazard there,” says Rich D’Amico, vice president of the Lake Winona Civic Association.

“Our application was accepted in 2021,” echoes the association’s president, Cortney Davis. “It's now been four years and the legislation has not moved forward.”

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R – Sparta), who sponsored the legislation to release the dam funding, is at a loss to explain why it hasn’t happened.

“This is one of those bills where the need is irrefutable,” Fantasia says. “This is not new appropriations. This was voter-approved.”

Neighbors of other dams waiting on funding say they are similarly frustrated. At Farm Crest Acres in West Milford, homeowners borrowed money so they could pay for repairs themselves. They’re waiting on the state funds so they can be reimbursed.

“We've accrued over $20,000 in interest,” says Tom McNair a member of the Farm Crest Acres Association.

But homeowners could be getting some good news soon. Since Kane In Your Corner began questioning why the funds were being withheld, the long-stalled legislation has suddenly taken a leap forward. After four years, the bill was voted out of committee and will be headed to a vote in the Assembly next week.

“It seems with your help and with attention brought by the media, this is one of those cases where I think we are seeing movement now,” Fantasia says.

For homeowners in Jefferson Township, it can’t come soon enough.

“We are constantly at risk here as a high-hazard dam,” Davis says. “And the longer it takes for us to get the money, the higher the risk becomes."

Do you know something that needs to be investigated? Here’s how to get Kane in Your Corner.