On Monday, the Lake Solitude Dam and Waterfall and all river access points were closed indefinitely by the borough of High Bridge after hundreds of people flooded the area Sunday to fill it beyond its capacity.“We just had hundreds of cars coming in,” High Bridge Mayor Michele Lee explained. “We just don’t have the staff that was able to control the traffic or the flow. We had to set aside some areas for people to park in, and those had filled up by about noon — just creating havoc on the street.”“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Lee added. “You would have thought it was the Jersey Shore.”Built in 1909, the dam is preserved as a place for recreation and conservation because the property was purchased with money from the state’s Green Acres program. As such, its reopening will be largely dependent upon guidance provided by Green Acres officials, whom the borough has already contacted.“(When the dam will reopen) is indefinite right now,” Lee said. “We obviously need to reassess the area’s usage … As soon as we get some answers from Green Acres, we’ll have a better indication.”On the heels of a viral TikTok video of the dam, hundreds of people from in and beyond the state began flooding the area over the past month to swim, sunbathe and cool off amidst sweltering summer temperatures. The large crowds instigated complaints from the community of packed-in parking in residential areas, littering, loud music and alcohol consumption.In response, the High Bridge Borough Council adopted an ordinance Thursday evening to add signage prohibiting food or beverages, alcohol, smoking, littering and loud music at the dam. The ordinance also designated areas for parking and picnicking at the dam, and increased fines to $2,000 for those who violate the regulations. Violators could also face up to 90 days in jail.Lee confirmed that temporary signs with these notices were placed throughout the area on Friday, and added that the borough is in the process of ordering signs to alert visitors that the area is now closed.During Thursday’s council meeting, Lee had said all municipal parks rather than Lake Solitude Dam alone could close in response to overcrowding issues.As of late Tuesday, both Union Forge and Commons Park in High Bridge remained open.“Union Forge Park, we have organized sports teams that pay permits to play there. So it’d be hard to take that away,” Lee explained. “And the Commons Park is the entrance to Columbia Trail. That’s a county-owned park.”Still, Lee said these parks may close if the crowds that previously filled Lake Solitude Dam decide to redirect themselves to what remains open in High Bridge.“We were still turning tons of people away yesterday.” Lee said. “So we have to see what that overflow is going to look like this next weekend and make a determination. It’s kind of scary times, in my view.”Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.Caroline Fassett may be reached at [email protected].

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