Davis Mill Dam dam
Davis Mill Dam
Davis Mill Dam located in Cumberland, New Jersey, stands as an important structure regulating the flow of Racoon Creek. Built in 1938 for recreation purposes, this Earth dam stands at 18 feet high and spans a length of 310 feet, with a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet. However, recent inspections have deemed its condition as poor, highlighting significant hazard potential.
Despite its age and condition assessment, Davis Mill Dam remains under state jurisdiction and regulation by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). With a history of modifications unknown, the dam's last inspection in May 2019 revealed its poor state, prompting the need for frequent inspections every two years to ensure public safety. The dam's inadequate condition raises concerns for potential risks and the need for proper risk management measures to be implemented.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Davis Mill Dam serves as a reminder of the critical role dams play in managing water flow, providing recreational opportunities, and the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to prevent potential hazards. As efforts are made to assess and address the dam's condition, it serves as a focal point for discussions on the safety and sustainability of water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions and increasing risks.
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 Davis Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cohansey River At Seeley Nj | 20 cfs | → |
| Salem River At Woodstown Nj | 4 cfs | → |
| Maurice River At Norma Nj | 77 cfs | → |
| Blackbird Creek At Blackbird | 1 cfs | → |
| Silver Lake Tributary At Middletown | 1 cfs | → |
| St Jones River At Dover | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Davis Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- Chestnut Road 291, Cumberland County
- Wma Access Road Cumberland County
- Stow Neck Road Salem County
- Piney Point Trail Cumberland County
- East Broad Street 13, Bridgeton
- Woodland Beach Road 7414, Kent County
Campgrounds
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Parvin State Park
- Lums Pond Youth Camping
- Dover Afb Military
- Tinicum Island Primitive Campsite
- Belleplain State Forest
Fishing spots
Track Davis Mill 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 Davis Mill Dam
Where does the data for Davis Mill 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 Davis Mill Dam.