Stafford Forge Dam dam
Stafford Forge Dam
Located in Eagleswood Township, New Jersey, the Stafford Forge Dam stands as a vital structure on the Westcunk Creek, serving primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, completed in 1944, is an earth-type construction standing at a height of 9 feet and stretching 1275 feet in length. With a normal storage capacity of 138 acre-feet and a drainage area of 17 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the Stafford Forge Dam has been deemed to have a significant hazard potential but is currently in fair condition as of the most recent inspection in November 2021. The dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement, ensuring its safety and compliance with standards. Despite its age, the Stafford Forge Dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities while contributing to the overall water management efforts in Ocean County, New Jersey.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in the area, the Stafford Forge Dam plays a crucial role in flood control, water storage, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and strategic location on the Westcunk Creek, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the region. As climate change impacts water resources, structures like the Stafford Forge Dam become increasingly essential for maintaining the balance between human needs and environmental conservation.
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 Stafford Forge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Westecunk Creek At Stafford Forge Nj | 19 cfs | → |
| East Branch Bass River Near New Gretna Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Oswego River At Harrisville Nj | 27 cfs | → |
| West Branch Wading River Near Jenkins Nj | 18 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Lanoka Harbor Nj | 73 cfs | → |
| Mcdonalds Branch In Lebanon State Forest Nj | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stafford Forge Dam.
Boat launches
- North Shore (Blue) Trail Burlington County
- Shore Avenue Ship Bottom
- West 75th Street 99, Harvey Cedars
- West 81st Street 99, Harvey Cedars
- Lake Trail Burlington County
- Scotts Landing Road 1099, Galloway Township
Track Stafford Forge 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 Stafford Forge Dam
Where does the data for Stafford Forge 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 Significant 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 Stafford Forge Dam.