West Branch Reservoir Dam dam
West Branch Reservoir Dam
West Branch Reservoir Dam, located in Bound Brook, New Jersey, serves as a critical water resource for Somerset County. Completed in 1930, this earth dam stands at a height of 39 feet and spans a length of 330 feet, with a storage capacity of 465 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this dam is for recreation, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities on the West Branch Middle Brook.
Despite its recreational benefits, the West Branch Reservoir Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been rated as in poor condition during the last inspection in September 2021. The dam is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure public safety. With its proximity to Congressional District 07 and the oversight of Representative Tom Malinowski, efforts to improve the dam's condition and address any potential risks are essential for the surrounding community and ecosystem. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can monitor the ongoing maintenance and safety measures to protect this vital infrastructure and preserve the natural environment.
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 West Branch Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Middle Brook Near Martinsville Nj | 0 cfs | → |
| Raritan River At Manville Nj | 228 cfs | → |
| Raritan River Below Calco Dam At Bound Brook Nj | 136 cfs | → |
| Bound Bk At Middlesex Nj | 18 cfs | → |
| North Branch Raritan River Near Raritan Nj | 97 cfs | → |
| Passaic River Near Millington Nj | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Branch Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- South Main Street Bound Brook
- South 3rd Avenue Highland Park
- Middlesex County
- River Road Sayreville
- Second Street Perth Amboy
- Woodbridge
Track West Branch Reservoir 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 West Branch Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for West Branch Reservoir 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 West Branch Reservoir Dam.