Upper Stokes Dam dam
Upper Stokes Dam
Upper Stokes Dam in Medford Lakes, New Jersey, is a local government-owned structure that plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for the community. Situated on the Sharps Branch of Haynes Creek, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and spans 250 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 68 acre-feet. Despite its importance in offering recreational activities, the dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential and is currently in poor condition, as assessed in July 2021.
With its location in Burlington County, Upper Stokes Dam is subject to state regulation and enforcement by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The dam's purpose is primarily for recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres. The dam poses a potential risk due to its condition, prompting the need for regular inspections and emergency action plans to ensure public safety and the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem.
Given the dam's poor condition and significant hazard potential, stakeholders and authorities must prioritize maintenance and risk management measures to mitigate potential dangers and safeguard the community. Through proper monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness, Upper Stokes Dam can continue to serve as a valuable resource for recreation while ensuring the safety of residents and the environment in Medford Lakes, New Jersey.
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 Upper Stokes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Rancocas Creek At Vincentown Nj | 11 cfs | → |
| North Branch Rancocas Creek At Pemberton Nj | 42 cfs | → |
| Great Egg Harbor R Nr Sicklerville Nj | 3 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Branch At New Lisbon Nj | 31 cfs | → |
| Cooper River At Haddonfield Nj | 5 cfs | → |
| South Branch Pennsauken Creek At Cherry Hill Nj | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Stokes Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeside Avenue 440, Deptford
- Creek Road Bellmawr
- Linden Avenue
- Station Avenue
- Tacony Boat Launch
- Frankford Arsenal
Campgrounds
- Atsion - Wharton State Forest
- Batona Camp
- Lower Forge Camp
- Mullica River Campground
- Brendan T Byrne Camp
- Brendan Byrne State Forest
Fishing spots
Track Upper Stokes 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 Upper Stokes Dam
Where does the data for Upper Stokes 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 Upper Stokes Dam.