Osborn Mills Dam dam
Osborn Mills Dam
Osborn Mills Dam, located in Bernards Township, New Jersey, stands as a crucial structure for water supply purposes along the Passaic River. This private-owned Earth dam boasts a height of 15 feet and a length of 250 feet, holding a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. With a normal storage of 30 acre-feet and a drainage area of 10.2 square miles, the dam plays a pivotal role in regulating water flow and ensuring a stable water supply for the surrounding area.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Osborn Mills Dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in March 2020. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in December 2020, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and risk management. With a maximum discharge capacity of 500 cubic feet per second, the dam's design and structure are meticulously maintained to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of downstream communities.
As a vital component of the water resource infrastructure in Somerset County, Osborn Mills Dam serves as a testament to the importance of proper regulatory oversight and routine inspections. The dam's location in Madisonville, New Jersey, highlights its crucial role in water management and underscores the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to safeguard the surrounding communities and environment from potential risks associated with its operation.
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 Osborn Mills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Passaic River Near Millington Nj | 12 cfs | → |
| North Branch Raritan River Near Far Hills Nj | 9 cfs | → |
| Whippany River Near Morristown Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Whippany River At Morristown Nj | 22 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Watchung Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Passaic River Near Chatham Nj | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Osborn Mills Dam.
Boat launches
- South Main Street Bound Brook
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- South 3rd Avenue Highland Park
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- Woodbridge
- Island Avenue Little Falls
Track Osborn Mills 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 Osborn Mills Dam
Where does the data for Osborn Mills 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 Osborn Mills Dam.