Camp Karney Dam dam
Camp Karney Dam
Camp Karney Dam, located in Woodstown, New Jersey, along the Salem River, is a local government-owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1953, this earth dam stands at 13 feet tall and spans 1500 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 259 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and improvements to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
The dam is under the regulatory oversight of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to monitor its compliance with safety standards. The last inspection in June 2021 revealed the dam's poor condition, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and upkeep. Although there are no associated structures or federal agency involvement with Camp Karney Dam, its significance in providing recreational activities underscores the need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures to safeguard both the dam and the surrounding environment.
As a vital part of the local community's recreational infrastructure, Camp Karney Dam serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking activities along the Salem River. While its current condition may raise concerns, proactive measures and investment in maintenance can help ensure the long-term resilience and safety of this important water resource for future generations to enjoy.
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 Camp Karney Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salem River At Woodstown Nj | 3 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Swedesboro Nj | 15 cfs | → |
| Cohansey River At Seeley Nj | 19 cfs | → |
| Little Ease Rn Nr Clayton Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Maurice River At Norma Nj | 71 cfs | → |
| Shellpot Creek At Wilmington | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Camp Karney Dam.
Boat launches
- Harding Highway Pittsgrove Township
- Centerton Road Elmer
- Hawks Bridge Road 740, Salem County
- Plant Road Penns Grove
- Crown Point Road Oldmans
- Riviera Drive 54, Pennsville
Campgrounds
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Parvin State Park
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Lums Pond Youth Camping
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Atsion - Wharton State Forest
Fishing spots
Track Camp Karney 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 Camp Karney Dam
Where does the data for Camp Karney 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 Camp Karney Dam.