Cedar Lake Dam dam
Cedar Lake Dam
Located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, Cedar Lake Dam stands as a vital structure along Cedar Creek, serving primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 12 feet and a length of 700 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 26 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure public safety.
With a history dating back to an unspecified completion year, Cedar Lake Dam continues to play a crucial role in managing the flow of Cedar Creek and providing recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors. Although lacking certain design and construction information, the dam's earth and gravity structure has withstood the test of time, demonstrating its importance in the community. However, its current condition assessment and hazard potential highlight the need for ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
As part of the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Cedar Lake Dam remains a focal point in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Cumberland County, New Jersey. With Congressman Jeff Van Drew representing the area in Congressional District 02, the dam's role in flood control, water supply, and recreational activities underscores its significance in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of structures like Cedar Lake Dam will be essential in safeguarding communities and natural environments for future generations.
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 Cedar 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 | 73 cfs | → |
| Tuckahoe River At Head Of River Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| St Jones River At Dover | 13 cfs | → |
| Murderkill River At Bowers | 493 cfs | → |
| Salem River At Woodstown Nj | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cedar Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Marshall Drive 35, Cumberland County
- Wma Access Road Cumberland County
- East Broad Street 13, Bridgeton
- Turkey Point Road Cumberland County
- Piney Point Trail Cumberland County
Campgrounds
- Parvin State Park
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Belleplain State Forest
- Dover Afb Military
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Frontier Campground
Fishing spots
Track Cedar 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 Cedar Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cedar 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 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 Cedar Lake Dam.