Wolf Den Dam dam
Wolf Den Dam
Wolf Den Dam, located in Wanaque, New Jersey, on the Wanaque River, was completed in 1927 and serves as a recreational spot for water enthusiasts in the area. The dam stands at a height of 42 feet and has a length of 2160 feet, providing a storage capacity of 81,730 acre-feet with a surface area of 2310 acres. With its concrete structure, the dam is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in October 2021. Emergency action plans are in place, although details on their specifics are not provided. While the dam does not have flood inundation maps prepared or a risk assessment documented, it remains a significant water resource management infrastructure in the region. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, attracting visitors for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Representing a fusion of engineering and natural beauty, Wolf Den Dam exemplifies the importance of water resource management in sustaining both recreational opportunities and environmental conservation efforts. As a state-owned structure within the Philadelphia District, the dam showcases the collaboration between government agencies and local communities to ensure the safety and enjoyment of water resources. Its historical significance, coupled with its functional design, makes Wolf Den Dam a notable landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Wolf Den 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 | → |
| Pompton River At Pompton Plains Nj | 145 cfs | → |
| Pequannock R At Macopin Intake Dam Nj | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wolf Den 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
- Island Avenue Little Falls
Track Wolf Den 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 Wolf Den Dam
Where does the data for Wolf Den 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 Wolf Den Dam.