Bear Brook Dam dam
Bear Brook Dam
Bear Brook Dam, located in Livingston Township, New Jersey, is a crucial water resource structure primarily built for water supply purposes. Completed in 1979, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 415 feet along the Bear Brook river. Owned by the local government, the dam is regulated and inspected by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards.
The dam's hazard potential is deemed significant, but its condition assessment as of April 2020 was reported as satisfactory. Regular inspections are conducted every two years to assess the dam's integrity and safety measures. While no associated structures or significant storage capacity have been noted, Bear Brook Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water supply in the area, serving as a vital resource for the community and surrounding areas.
With its strategic location and importance in water supply management, Bear Brook Dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource infrastructure development. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the dam's role in ensuring water security and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions remains paramount. The dam's ongoing regulatory oversight and inspection frequency demonstrate a commitment to maintaining its functionality and safeguarding the surrounding community from potential hazards.
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 Bear Brook Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Canoe Brook Near Summit Nj | 1 cfs | → |
| Whippany River Near Pine Brook Nj | 35 cfs | → |
| Passaic River At Pine Brook Nj | 138 cfs | → |
| Passaic River Near Chatham Nj | 34 cfs | → |
| Rahway River Near Springfield Nj | 10 cfs | → |
| Second River At Belleville Nj | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Brook Dam.
Boat launches
- Island Avenue Little Falls
- Secaucus Municipal Ramp
- Veterans Court Passaic
- River Barge Park
- Secaucus Greenway Secaucus
- Hoboken Newport Walkway- Hudson River Waterfront Walkway Hoboken
Track Bear Brook 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 Bear Brook Dam
Where does the data for Bear Brook 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 Bear Brook Dam.