Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam dam
Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam
Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam, located in Rahway, New Jersey, was completed in 1907 and serves as a vital water supply infrastructure for Union County. This earthen dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 425 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1,269 acre-feet and a drainage area of 19.1 square miles. The dam is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
With a primary purpose of water supply, Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam plays a crucial role in providing safe and reliable water resources to the surrounding communities. The dam has a high hazard potential but has been assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in November 2021. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) may be activated, although details regarding its preparation and guidelines compliance are yet to be updated. The dam is not under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Overall, Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam stands as a key component of the water infrastructure in Union County, New Jersey, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the region. Its historical significance, combined with its regulatory oversight and regular inspections, highlights the importance of maintaining and managing this essential water resource infrastructure for the benefit of the community and the 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 Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rahway River At Rahway Nj | 15 cfs | → |
| Rahway River Near Springfield Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| Elizabeth R At Ursino Lake At Elizabeth Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Green Brook At Seeley Mills Nj | 1 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Watchung Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Passaic River Near Chatham Nj | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Woodbridge
- Second Street Perth Amboy
- Raritan Reach Road 28, South Amboy
- River Road Sayreville
- South 3rd Avenue Highland Park
- South Main Street Bound Brook
Track Robinson's 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 Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Robinson's 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 Robinson's Branch Reservoir Dam.