Helmetta Dam dam
Helmetta Dam
Helmetta Dam, located in Helmetta Borough, New Jersey, is a local government-owned structure on the Manalapan Brook. Primarily used for recreation, this earth and gravity dam stands at 7 feet high and spans 2000 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and undergoes regular inspections, with its last assessment showing a satisfactory condition as of August 2021.
Despite its modest size, Helmetta Dam is deemed to have significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness. The dam's location within Middlesex County, New Jersey, places it under the jurisdiction of various state agencies, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. With a drainage area of 1.6 square miles and a surface area of 50 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Helmetta Dam's role in providing recreational opportunities while safeguarding against potential hazards underscores the delicate balance between human activities and environmental stewardship. Its presence along the Manalapan Brook serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our water systems and the need for responsible management practices to mitigate risks and ensure the sustainability of our natural resources.
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 Helmetta Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Manalapan Brook At Spotswood Nj | 17 cfs | → |
| Deep Run At Old Bridge Nj | 3 cfs | → |
| Lawrence Bk At Westons Mills Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Delaware And Raritan Canal At Kingston Nj | 114 cfs | → |
| Millstone River At Blackwells Mills Nj | 110 cfs | → |
| Big Brook Near Marlboro Nj | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helmetta Dam.
Boat launches
- Middlesex County
- South 3rd Avenue Highland Park
- River Road Sayreville
- Ravine Drive Matawan
- Raritan Reach Road 28, South Amboy
- Second Street Perth Amboy
Track Helmetta 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 Helmetta Dam
Where does the data for Helmetta 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 Helmetta Dam.