Cooper River Parkway (kaighn Ave) Dam
Cooper River Parkway (kaighn Ave) Dam is an earth dam located in Camden County, New Jersey, built in 1940. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Cooper River Parkway (kaighn Ave) Dam
The primary purpose of Cooper River Parkway (kaighn Ave) Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by County Of Camden Park Commission (local government). It impounds the Cooper River near City Of Camden.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 156 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 190 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/29/2024.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Camden |
| Nearest City | City Of Camden |
| River/Stream | Cooper River |
| Coordinates | 39.93198, -75.08597 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 156 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,150 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 190 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,500 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | County of Camden Park Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/29/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00393 |
| Federal ID | NJ00393 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |