Midvale Dam dam
Midvale Dam
Midvale Dam, located in Wanaque Borough, New Jersey, is a state-regulated earth dam constructed in 1928 for the primary purpose of water supply on the Wanaque River. Standing at a height of 61 feet and stretching 290 feet in length, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 71,325 acre-feet within its 2400-acre surface area. Its hazard potential is classified as high, but its condition assessment as of October 2021 was deemed satisfactory.
The dam, owned by the state of New Jersey and regulated by the NJDEP, undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The surrounding area of Passaic County benefits from the water storage provided by Midvale Dam, supporting the region's water supply needs. Despite its age, the dam continues to fulfill its purpose efficiently and effectively, showcasing the importance of proper maintenance and regulation in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Midvale Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates, highlighting the intersection of environmental conservation and infrastructure development. Its presence on the Wanaque River underscores the significance of sustainable water management practices in ensuring the resilience of communities and ecosystems against the impacts of climate change. As a key component of New Jersey's water supply infrastructure, Midvale Dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance resource utilization with environmental protection in the face of evolving climate 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 Midvale Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wanaque R At Wanaque Nj | 14 cfs | → |
| West Brook Near Wanaque Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Pequannock River At Riverdale Nj | 29 cfs | → |
| Ramapo River At Pompton Lakes Nj | 122 cfs | → |
| Ringwood Creek Near Wanaque Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Pompton River At Pompton Plains Nj | 145 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Midvale Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
- Greenwood Lake Turnpike Ringwood
- Ringwood-Ramapo Trail Ringwood
- Blue Lake Road Town Of Warwick
- Laurel Meadow Drive Town Of Warwick
Track Midvale 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 Midvale Dam
Where does the data for Midvale 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 Midvale Dam.