Shackamaxon Dam dam
Shackamaxon Dam
Shackamaxon Dam, located in Union, New Jersey, along Lambert's Run, serves primarily for irrigation purposes. This private earth dam stands at a height of 24.1 feet and has a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet, providing vital water resources for agricultural needs in the area. The dam has a fair condition assessment and a high hazard potential, indicating the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and stability.
Managed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Shackamaxon Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With a drainage area of 2.5 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1290 cubic feet per second, the dam helps regulate water flow and prevent flooding downstream. Although the dam's last inspection in March 2019 deemed it to be in fair condition, ongoing monitoring and risk assessment measures are essential to mitigate any potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding community.
As a key infrastructure for water supply and management, Shackamaxon Dam underscores the significance of sustainable water resource practices and climate resilience. With its strategic location in Scotch Plains Township and its vital role in supporting irrigation activities, the dam serves as a critical asset for ensuring water security and environmental sustainability in the region. Continued collaboration among relevant agencies and stakeholders is essential to maintain the dam's integrity and enhance its resilience in the face of changing climate conditions and water resource 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 Shackamaxon Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rahway River At Rahway Nj | 15 cfs | → |
| Green Brook At Seeley Mills Nj | 1 cfs | → |
| Rahway River Near Springfield Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook At Watchung Nj | 2 cfs | → |
| Passaic River Near Chatham Nj | 34 cfs | → |
| Elizabeth R At Ursino Lake At Elizabeth Nj | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shackamaxon Dam.
Boat launches
- Woodbridge
- Second Street Perth Amboy
- South 3rd Avenue Highland Park
- South Main Street Bound Brook
- River Road Sayreville
- Raritan Reach Road 28, South Amboy
Track Shackamaxon 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 Shackamaxon Dam
Where does the data for Shackamaxon 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 Shackamaxon Dam.