Seneca Lake Dam dam
Seneca Lake Dam
Seneca Lake Dam, located in Sparta Township, New Jersey, is a privately owned structure designed for recreational purposes. The dam is situated on Lubbers Run and is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. With a height of 11 feet and a length of 200 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 23 acres. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition was assessed as satisfactory during the last inspection in October 2020.
The dam's primary purpose is to provide recreational opportunities, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the scenic surroundings of Seneca Lake. Although no major modifications or risk management measures have been reported, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in January 2021. With a designated inspection frequency of every two years, the dam's maintenance and safety protocols are regularly monitored to ensure the protection of downstream communities in Sussex County, New Jersey.
Seneca Lake Dam, part of the Philadelphia District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, serves as a vital water resource for the region. As a gravity earth dam, it plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage for the surrounding area. While the dam's spillway type and width are unspecified, its satisfactory condition assessment and regular inspections indicate a commitment to maintaining the dam's integrity and safety for both recreational users and the local ecosystem.
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 Seneca Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Musconetcong River At Outlet Of Lake Hopatcong Nj | 14 cfs | → |
| Eb Paulins Kill Near Lafayette Nj | 11 cfs | → |
| Green Pd Bk Bl Picatinny Lk At Picatinny Ars Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Green Pond Brook At Picatinny Arsenal Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Pequest River At Huntsville Nj | 15 cfs | → |
| Pequannock R At Macopin Intake Dam Nj | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Seneca Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- West Shore Drive Stillwater Township
- Mcdade Recreational Trail Delaware
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
Track Seneca 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 Seneca Lake Dam
Where does the data for Seneca 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 Seneca Lake Dam.