Florence Lake dam
Florence Lake
Florence Lake in Estellville, New Jersey, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Built in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 11 feet tall and spans 850 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 293 acre-feet. Located on the Great Egg Harbor River, Florence Lake offers a surface area of 55 acres and a drainage area of 5 square miles, making it a vital resource for flood control and wildlife habitat in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Florence Lake serves multiple purposes beyond flood risk reduction, including fish and wildlife pond management and recreational activities. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates ensure proper water flow management, while its moderate risk assessment rating indicates a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. With its serene surroundings and essential role in water resource management, Florence Lake is a captivating destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of nature and infrastructure in Atlantic County, New Jersey.
As a key feature of the Philadelphia District's water infrastructure, Florence Lake represents the collaborative efforts of the USDA NRCS in designing and maintaining sustainable structures that balance flood protection with environmental conservation. While the dam's condition assessment and emergency preparedness details are not currently available, its historical significance and ongoing relevance in managing water resources make it a site worth studying and appreciating for those interested in the intersection of water management and climate resilience.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Florence Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckahoe River At Head Of River Nj | 11 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor River At Folsom Nj | 39 cfs | → |
| Maurice River At Norma Nj | 77 cfs | → |
| Mullica River Near Batsto Nj | 25 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Blue Anchor Nj | 18 cfs | → |
| Oswego River At Harrisville Nj | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Florence Lake.
Boat launches
- Harbor Road Upper Township
- Ocean City Bike Path Somers Point
- East Seaview Avenue Linwood
- Bayview Drive 2604, Upper Township
- Dorset Avenue Ventnor City
- Jakes Landing Road 102, Dennis Township
Campgrounds
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Frontier Campground
- Belleplain State Forest
- Birch Grove
- Whipporwhil Campsite
- Whipporwhill Campsite
Track Florence Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Florence Lake
Where does the data for Florence Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Florence Lake.