Birchwood Lake Dam dam
Birchwood Lake Dam
Birchwood Lake Dam, located in Oakwood Lakes, New Jersey, is a private-owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Completed in 1955, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans a length of 250 feet, with a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet. The dam is situated along the Haynes Creek-TR river/stream and is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
With a significant hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of May 2021, Birchwood Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections every two years to ensure structural integrity and public safety. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 24 acre-feet, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding community and contributing to the overall water management in Burlington County. The dam's location in Medford Township, within Congressional District 03 of New Jersey, highlights its importance in the local ecosystem and recreational landscape.
As a key feature in the water resource infrastructure, Birchwood Lake Dam plays a crucial role in flood control, water storage, and recreational activities in the region. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, the dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of essential infrastructure for sustainable development in New Jersey.
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 Birchwood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Rancocas Creek At Vincentown Nj | 18 cfs | → |
| North Branch Rancocas Creek At Pemberton Nj | 45 cfs | → |
| South Branch Pennsauken Creek At Cherry Hill Nj | 3 cfs | → |
| Cooper River At Haddonfield Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Sicklerville Nj | 3 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Branch At New Lisbon Nj | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Birchwood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Linden Avenue
- Station Avenue
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Lakeside Avenue 440, Deptford
- Tacony Boat Launch
- Frankford Arsenal
Campgrounds
- Atsion - Wharton State Forest
- Batona Camp
- Lower Forge Camp
- Mullica River Campground
- Willow Pond Camp Military - Ft Dix
- Brendan T Byrne Camp
Fishing spots
Track Birchwood 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 Birchwood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Birchwood 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 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 Birchwood Lake Dam.