Powder Mill Pond Dam dam
Powder Mill Pond Dam
Powder Mill Pond Dam, situated in the beautiful Morris County, New Jersey, serves as a crucial recreational site along the Whippany River. Owned and regulated by the state, this 35-foot high earth dam provides a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet and covers an area of 8 acres. Despite its primary purpose for recreation, the dam's poor condition assessment and high hazard potential highlight the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure safety and longevity.
The dam, completed in an unspecified year, stands as a vital structure within the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, playing a key role in managing water resources and providing leisure opportunities for residents and visitors alike. However, the lack of specific information on design and construction details underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and upkeep to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding communities. With a history of state inspection and enforcement in place, efforts to address the dam's condition and hazard potential are essential for sustainable water resource management.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, Powder Mill Pond Dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. By understanding the dam's significance, challenges, and regulatory oversight, stakeholders can collaborate to enhance its resilience and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. With a proactive approach to maintenance and risk management, this iconic structure can continue to fulfill its role in providing recreational opportunities while ensuring the safety and well-being of 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 Powder Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whippany River Near Morristown Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Whippany River At Morristown Nj | 24 cfs | → |
| Rockaway River Above Reservoir At Boonton Nj | 472 cfs | → |
| Rockaway River Below Reservoir At Boonton Nj | 9 cfs | → |
| Whippany River Near Pine Brook Nj | 40 cfs | → |
| Green Pd Bk Bl Picatinny Lk At Picatinny Ars Nj | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Powder Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- Island Avenue Little Falls
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
- Veterans Court Passaic
Track Powder Mill Pond 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 Powder Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Powder Mill Pond 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 Powder Mill Pond Dam.