Lake Rutherford Dam dam
Lake Rutherford Dam
Lake Rutherford Dam, located in Colesville, New Jersey, is a vital piece of infrastructure for the local government, serving as a key water supply source in Sussex County. The dam, primarily designed for water supply purposes, stands at a height of 12 feet and spans 110 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 780 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Clove Brook-TR and has a surface area of 64 acres, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
This earth-type dam, with a high hazard potential, has been assessed as satisfactory in its condition as of the last inspection in July 2021. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last updated in August 2021, ensuring that necessary measures are in place in case of any unforeseen events. With a history of regular inspections and state regulation by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Lake Rutherford Dam plays a crucial role in water management and supply for the region.
Congressional District 05 in New Jersey, represented by Josh S. Gottheimer, oversees this essential water resource infrastructure. The dam's location in Wantage Township highlights its significance in the local landscape, providing a steady water supply and contributing to the overall environmental and climate resilience of the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Lake Rutherford Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices and the critical role that infrastructure plays in addressing environmental challenges.
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 Rutherford Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware River At Port Jervis Ny | 5,320 cfs | → |
| Delaware River At Montague Nj | 5,860 cfs | → |
| Neversink River At Godeffroy Ny | 368 cfs | → |
| Mongaup River Near Mongaup Ny | 262 cfs | → |
| Eb Paulins Kill Near Lafayette Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Bush Kill At Edgemere | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Rutherford Dam.
Boat launches
- Winding Waters Trail Town Of Warwick
- Matamoras
- Otter Lane 101, Dingman Township
- Sunrise Drive 299, Dingman Township
- Butler Court Town Of Mamakating
- Mcdade Recreational Trail Delaware
Track Lake Rutherford 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 Rutherford Dam
Where does the data for Lake Rutherford 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 Lake Rutherford Dam.