Mill Pond Dam dam
Mill Pond Dam
Mill Pond Dam in Park Ridge, Bergen County, New Jersey, stands as a key structure on the Pascak Brook, serving primarily for recreational purposes since its completion in 1908. This earth dam reaches a height of 20.6 feet and spans 588 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet. The dam is state-regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement measures to maintain its satisfactory condition.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Mill Pond Dam has been assessed as structurally sound, with a high-risk potential and an established emergency action plan in place. The dam's location within the Philadelphia District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlights its importance in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks to downstream communities. With Congressman Josh S. Gottheimer representing the area in Congressional District 05, efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of Mill Pond Dam remain a top priority for local government authorities and environmental agencies.
Water and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the intricate design and historical significance of Mill Pond Dam, which not only provides a recreational oasis in Park Ridge but also plays a crucial role in flood control and water management along the Pascak Brook. As a regulated structure with a focus on safety and environmental compliance, the dam serves as a model for sustainable infrastructure development and proactive risk management in the face of changing climate conditions. The collaborative efforts of state and federal agencies ensure the continued protection and preservation of this vital water resource for future generations to enjoy.
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 Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pascack Brook At Park Ridge Nj | 7 cfs | → |
| Pascack Brook At Westwood Nj | 31 cfs | → |
| Saddle River At Upper Saddle River Nj | 3 cfs | → |
| Hackensack River At Rivervale Nj | 32 cfs | → |
| Saddle River At Ridgewood Nj | 11 cfs | → |
| Hohokus Brook At Ho-Ho-Kus Nj | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Warburton Avenue 565, Hastings-On-Hudson
- Ringwood-Ramapo Trail Ringwood
- Veterans Court Passaic
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
- Riverside Avenue Little Ferry
- Croton Riverwalk Croton-On-Hudson
Campgrounds
- Croton Point Park
- Beaver Pond - Harriman State Park
- Beaver Pond Campsite
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Camp Lewis
Fishing spots
Track Mill Pond 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 Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Mill Pond 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 Mill Pond Dam.