Lake Plymouth Dam dam
Lake Plymouth Dam
Lake Plymouth Dam, located in Newton, New Jersey, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1951, this earth and gravity dam stands at a height of 13.6 feet, holding a storage capacity of 99 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 15 acres. The dam is situated on Truot Brook, within the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state.
Despite its significance for recreation, Lake Plymouth Dam poses a significant hazard due to its poor condition, as assessed during the last inspection in March 2021. With an inspection frequency of every two years, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status remains unclear, highlighting potential risks associated with its operation. While there are no specific risk management measures or inundation maps prepared for the dam, its condition and hazard potential underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and downstream areas in Stillwater Township.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve into the details of Lake Plymouth Dam, they can appreciate the unique blend of historical significance and recreational value that this structure offers. With its picturesque location and vital role in water storage and management, the dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for proactive risk assessment and maintenance to safeguard both the environment and local communities from potential hazards. As discussions on climate resilience and water infrastructure continue, Lake Plymouth Dam stands as a noteworthy example of the intersection between human intervention and natural resources in the context of water management and climate adaptation.
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 Lake Plymouth Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Brook Near Flatbrookville Nj | 42 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill At Shoemakers | 121 cfs | → |
| Paulins Kill At Blairstown Nj | 60 cfs | → |
| Eb Paulins Kill Near Lafayette Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Pequest River At Huntsville Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Little Bush Kill At Edgemere | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Plymouth Dam.
Boat launches
- Mcdade Recreational Trail Delaware
- West Shore Drive Stillwater Township
- Poxono Access Area In Nj
- Lake Minisink
- Little Mud Pond
- Otter Lane 101, Dingman Township
Track Lake Plymouth 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 Lake Plymouth Dam
Where does the data for Lake Plymouth 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 Lake Plymouth Dam.