Yardley Road Lake Dam dam
Yardley Road Lake Dam
Yardley Road Lake Dam in Mendham Township, New Jersey, is a private dam on the Whippany River primarily designed for flood risk reduction, with secondary purposes of recreation. Standing at a height of 30 feet and spanning 187 feet in length, this earth dam has a maximum storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres. Despite its critical role in flood prevention, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential.
The dam is under state regulation by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, with regular inspections mandated to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The last inspection was conducted in April 2018, highlighting the urgent need for maintenance and potential upgrades to mitigate any risks associated with its current condition. With a hazard potential categorized as high, it is crucial for authorities and stakeholders to prioritize necessary measures to address the dam's deficiencies and safeguard the surrounding community from potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Yardley Road Lake Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety. Its location in a picturesque setting along the Whippany River adds to its significance, making it both a functional asset for flood control and a recreational amenity for the local community. As discussions around dam safety and resilience continue to gain prominence, the Yardley Road Lake Dam presents a compelling case study for the proactive management of water resources in the face of changing climate dynamics and increasing infrastructure 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 Yardley Road Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whippany River Near Morristown Nj | 8 cfs | → |
| Whippany River At Morristown Nj | 24 cfs | → |
| North Branch Raritan River Near Far Hills Nj | 25 cfs | → |
| Passaic River Near Millington Nj | 15 cfs | → |
| Sb Raritan River At Four Bridges Nj | 16 cfs | → |
| Lamington (Black) River Near Pottersville Nj | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yardley Road Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Dell Avenue 9, Netcong
- Jefferson Lake Road Sussex County
- South Main Street Bound Brook
- Island Avenue Little Falls
- North Corporate Drive 2, Riverdale
- Highlands Trail Union
Track Yardley Road Lake 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 Yardley Road Lake Dam
Where does the data for Yardley Road Lake 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 Yardley Road Lake Dam.