Munson Dam dam
Munson Dam
Munson Dam, located in Salem Creek, New Jersey, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1934 primarily for water supply purposes. Standing at a height of 31.5 feet and a length of 195 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1100 acre-feet and serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. Despite being regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and undergoing regular inspections, the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and is in fair condition as of the last assessment in September 2021.
Situated in Pennsville Township within Salem County, Munson Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, with a drainage area of 60 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1310 cubic feet per second. Its existence ensures a reliable water supply for the community while also minimizing the risk of flooding downstream. The dam's historical significance, coupled with its operational efficiency and low hazard potential, underscores its importance in maintaining water security and environmental sustainability in the area.
With its strategic location and efficient design, Munson Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management in New Jersey. As a privately owned structure with state oversight, the dam contributes to the overall resilience of the local water supply system. Its engineering excellence, coupled with regular inspections and fair condition assessment, highlights the commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of this essential infrastructure for both water supply and climate resilience enthusiasts alike.
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 Munson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shellpot Creek At Wilmington | 2 cfs | → |
| Brandywine Creek At Wilmington | 185 cfs | → |
| Red Clay Creek Near Stanton | 29 cfs | → |
| Red Clay Creek At Wooddale | 25 cfs | → |
| White Clay Creek Near Newark | 45 cfs | → |
| Salem River At Woodstown Nj | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Munson Dam.
Boat launches
- Delaware Memorial Bridge Pennsville Township
- Hawks Bridge Road 740, Salem County
- Plant Road Penns Grove
- Riviera Drive 54, Pennsville
- Crown Point Road Oldmans
- I 95;Us 202 Wilmington
Campgrounds
- Lums Pond Youth Camping
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Parvin State Park
- Harmony Hill Wilderness Area Campsite
- Sandy Hill Camp
Fishing spots
Track Munson Dam 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 Munson Dam
Where does the data for Munson Dam 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 Munson Dam.