Shay Lake Dam dam
Shay Lake Dam
Shay Lake Dam, located in Sandyston Township, New Jersey, is a state-regulated earth dam primarily used for recreation. With a height of 24 feet and a length of 475 feet, the dam offers a surface area of 8 acres and a drainage area of 0.7 square miles. The dam has a low hazard potential and was last inspected in July 2005, with a satisfactory condition assessment at that time.
Managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Shay Lake Dam provides a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 70 cubic feet per second. The dam is situated on the Flat Brook-TR river and falls under the jurisdiction of Congressional District 05, represented by Josh S. Gottheimer. Despite its age, the dam's condition remains satisfactory, ensuring the safety and recreational enjoyment of the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Shay Lake Dam for its role in providing recreational opportunities while maintaining a low hazard potential. With a history of state regulation and inspection, the dam continues to meet guidelines and ensure public safety. As a key feature in Sussex County, New Jersey, Shay Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible water management and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Shay Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Brook Near Flatbrookville Nj | 47 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Montague Nj | 5,920 cfs | → |
| Little Bush Kill At Edgemere | 10 cfs | → |
| Eb Paulins Kill Near Lafayette Nj | 11 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill At Shoemakers | 132 cfs | → |
| Pequest River At Huntsville Nj | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shay Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mcdade Recreational Trail Delaware
- West Shore Drive Stillwater Township
- Little Mud Pond
- Otter Lane 101, Dingman Township
- Lake Minisink
- Sunrise Drive 299, Dingman Township
Track Shay 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 Shay Lake Dam
Where does the data for Shay 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 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 Shay Lake Dam.