Round Valley South Dam dam
Round Valley South Dam
Round Valley South Dam, located in Stanton, New Jersey, is a key component of the state's water supply infrastructure, with a primary purpose of water supply. Completed in 1961, this earth dam stands at a height of 178 feet and has a storage capacity of 196,600 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for the region. The dam, situated on Prescott Brook, serves as a crucial asset for managing water resources in Hunterdon County and beyond.
Despite its importance, Round Valley South Dam has been rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The dam spans 1,395 feet in length and covers a surface area of 2,350 acres, with a drainage area of 5.4 square miles. The dam's last inspection in October 2020 revealed its deteriorating state, emphasizing the urgency of addressing its structural integrity to ensure the safety and reliability of the water supply it provides.
With Congressman Tom Malinowski representing Congressional District 07, which includes the area where Round Valley South Dam is located, the dam's significance extends beyond its immediate function. As climate change continues to impact water resources, maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure of dams like Round Valley South Dam becomes essential for securing a sustainable water supply for communities in New Jersey. The challenges posed by its current condition underscore the importance of proactive measures to safeguard water resources and mitigate potential risks associated with aging infrastructure.
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 Round Valley South Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Raritan River At Stanton Nj | 69 cfs | → |
| Sb Rockaway Creek At Whitehouse Station Nj | 73 cfs | → |
| Spruce Run At Clinton Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| South Branch Raritan River Near High Bridge Nj | 36 cfs | → |
| Mulhockaway Creek At Van Syckel Nj | 5 cfs | → |
| North Branch Raritan River Near Raritan Nj | 161 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Round Valley South Dam.
Boat launches
- Highlands Trail Union
- Kingwood In Nj
- Upper Black Eddy
- South Main Street Bound Brook
- Byram In Nj
- Bulls Island Access Area
Track Round Valley South 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 Round Valley South Dam
Where does the data for Round Valley South 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 High 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 Round Valley South Dam.