Sunset Lake Dam dam
Sunset Lake Dam
Sunset Lake Dam, located in Bridgeton City, New Jersey, is a local government-owned structure that has been regulating the flow of the Cohansey River since its completion in 1927. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 6200 feet, creating a surface area of 94 acres and a normal storage capacity of 310 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment, the dam has a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance.
Managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Sunset Lake Dam is state-regulated, with permits, inspections, and enforcement measures in place to ensure its safe operation. The dam's last inspection in April 2019 revealed its fair condition, prompting a biennial inspection frequency to monitor any changes. While no emergency action plan (EAP) is currently in place, it is crucial for stakeholders to consider implementing one to address any potential risks or hazards associated with the dam.
As a key feature in the local landscape, Sunset Lake Dam plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities and regulating the water flow of the Cohansey River. With its historical significance dating back to the early 20th century, this earth dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Sunset Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cohansey River At Seeley Nj | 20 cfs | → |
| Maurice River At Norma Nj | 71 cfs | → |
| Salem River At Woodstown Nj | 4 cfs | → |
| Little Ease Rn Nr Clayton Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Swedesboro Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor River At Folsom Nj | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sunset Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Piney Point Trail Cumberland County
- East Broad Street 13, Bridgeton
- Wma Access Road Cumberland County
- Wma Access Road Cumberland County
- Chestnut Road 291, Cumberland County
- Marshall Drive 35, Cumberland County
Campgrounds
- Parvin State Park
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Belleplain State Forest
- Dover Afb Military
- Lums Pond Youth Camping
Fishing spots
Track Sunset Lake 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 Sunset Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sunset Lake 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 Sunset Lake Dam.