Wadsworth Lake Dam dam
Wadsworth Lake Dam
Wadsworth Lake Dam, located in Pitman, New Jersey, was completed in 1926 and serves as a recreational water source along Mantua Creek. The earth dam stands at 19.5 feet high and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. Despite its primary purpose for recreation, the dam is also utilized for fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond, showcasing its versatility in water resource management.
However, recent data indicates a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment for Wadsworth Lake Dam, with the last inspection conducted in March 2020. The dam is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With its location in Gloucester County and proximity to Glassboro Borough, the dam's management and maintenance are crucial for ensuring public safety and preserving the surrounding environment.
As an essential component of the water infrastructure in the region, Wadsworth Lake Dam requires ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to address its current condition. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of this structure in balancing recreational, ecological, and safety considerations along the Mantua Creek watershed. Collaboration between stakeholders and regulatory agencies will be key to safeguarding the dam's integrity and optimizing its benefits for the community.
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 Wadsworth Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Ease Rn Nr Clayton Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Raccoon Creek Near Swedesboro Nj | 17 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Sicklerville Nj | 6 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Blue Anchor Nj | 19 cfs | → |
| Cooper River At Haddonfield Nj | 43 cfs | → |
| Salem River At Woodstown Nj | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wadsworth Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeside Avenue 440, Deptford
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Harding Highway Pittsgrove Township
- Centerton Road Elmer
- Crown Point Road Oldmans
- Frankford Arsenal
Campgrounds
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Parvin State Park
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Atsion - Wharton State Forest
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Lower Forge Camp
Fishing spots
Track Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wadsworth 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 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 Wadsworth Lake Dam.