Lake Ames Dam dam
Lake Ames Dam
Lake Ames Dam, located in Rockaway Township, Morris County, New Jersey, is a local government-owned structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1934, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and spans a length of 320 feet, with a storage capacity of 128 acre-feet. Situated on the Hibernia Brook, the dam's normal storage level is 95 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 16 acres within a drainage area of 5.3 square miles.
Despite its recreational significance, Lake Ames Dam exhibits poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in November 2020 raised concerns about its structural integrity, prompting a biennial inspection frequency. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is uncertain, with no recent updates on its preparedness or compliance with guidelines. Given its critical location and potential risks, it is crucial for the appropriate regulatory agencies, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), to ensure regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency response protocols for the safety of surrounding communities.
As an essential water resource within the region, Lake Ames Dam's management and maintenance require close attention and proactive measures to address its deteriorating condition and potential hazards. With the support of local and state authorities, including NJDEP, efforts should be made to enhance the dam's safety measures, conduct timely inspections, and update emergency response plans to mitigate risks and ensure the protection of the environment, infrastructure, and public safety in the area. By prioritizing the dam's rehabilitation and risk management strategies, stakeholders can safeguard this vital water infrastructure for future generations and uphold its recreational and ecological values amid changing climate conditions.
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 Lake Ames Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green Pond Brook At Picatinny Arsenal Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Green Pd Bk Bl Picatinny Lk At Picatinny Ars Nj | 1 cfs | → |
| Rockaway River Above Reservoir At Boonton Nj | 472 cfs | → |
| Rockaway River Below Reservoir At Boonton Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| Pequannock R At Macopin Intake Dam Nj | 6 cfs | → |
| Musconetcong River At Outlet Of Lake Hopatcong Nj | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Ames Dam.
Boat launches
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- Lakeside Avenue Pompton Lakes
- Island Avenue Little Falls
- Greenwood Lake Turnpike Ringwood
Track Lake Ames 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 Lake Ames Dam
Where does the data for Lake Ames 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 Lake Ames Dam.