Swartswood Lake Dam dam
Swartswood Lake Dam
Swartswood Lake Dam, located in Sussex, New Jersey, is a state-owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1903, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 160 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 4000 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the scenic Paulinskill River and covers a surface area of 516 acres, providing a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Maintained and regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Swartswood Lake Dam has been assessed to be in fair condition with a low hazard potential. The last inspection was conducted in 2005, with a scheduled frequency of every 4 years. While the dam does not have a designated spillway or outlet gates, it is equipped to manage any potential risks effectively. With its picturesque location and recreational offerings, Swartswood Lake Dam continues to be a popular destination for outdoor activities and environmental appreciation.
As part of the Philadelphia District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Swartswood Lake Dam contributes to the overall water management efforts in the region. Its historical significance and ongoing maintenance demonstrate a commitment to preserving this important water resource for future generations. Whether for leisurely visits or educational purposes, this dam serves as a valuable asset for understanding the intersection of water resources and climate dynamics in New Jersey.
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 Swartswood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Brook Near Flatbrookville Nj | 42 cfs | → |
| Pequest River At Huntsville Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Paulins Kill At Blairstown Nj | 60 cfs | → |
| Eb Paulins Kill Near Lafayette Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Bush Kill At Shoemakers | 121 cfs | → |
| Yards Creek Near Blairstown Nj | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swartswood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- West Shore Drive Stillwater Township
- Mcdade Recreational Trail Delaware
- Poxono Access Area In Nj
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- Lake Minisink
Track Swartswood Lake 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 Swartswood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Swartswood Lake 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 Low 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 Swartswood Lake Dam.