Stephen Lake Dam dam
Stephen Lake Dam
Stephen Lake Dam, located in Steelman, New Jersey, is a state-owned structure on Stephen Creek with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, classified as an Earth type with a height of 9 feet and a length of 800 feet, provides a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 40 acres. Despite its recreational appeal, the dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment as of April 2021.
Managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement. However, its last inspection in April 2021 highlighted its deteriorating condition, warranting attention to prevent any potential risks. With a hazard potential rating of significant, stakeholders and authorities need to address the dam's structural integrity to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and water resources.
As a popular recreational spot in Atlantic County, Stephen Lake Dam's maintenance and risk management measures are crucial to preserve its functionality and protect against potential hazards. With its proximity to Estell Manor City and the significant risk it poses, continuous monitoring and improvement efforts are essential to safeguard both the dam and the environment it impacts.
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 Stephen Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckahoe River At Head Of River Nj | 9 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor River At Folsom Nj | 34 cfs | → |
| Maurice River At Norma Nj | 71 cfs | → |
| Mullica River Near Batsto Nj | 15 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Blue Anchor Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Oswego River At Harrisville Nj | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stephen Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Harbor Road Upper Township
- Ocean City Bike Path Somers Point
- East Seaview Avenue Linwood
- Dorset Avenue Ventnor City
- Bayview Drive 2604, Upper Township
- Jakes Landing Road 102, Dennis Township
Campgrounds
- Birch Grove
- Frontier Campground
- Whipporwhil Campsite
- Whipporwhill Campsite
- Indian Branch Park Campground
- Belleplain State Forest
Track Stephen 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 Stephen Lake Dam
Where does the data for Stephen 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 Stephen Lake Dam.