Brainerd Lake Dam
Brainerd Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, built in 1840. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Brainerd Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Brainerd Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by County Of Middlesex, Engineering Department (local government). It impounds the Cranbury Brook near Plainsboro.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 382 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 152 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1840, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/22/2023.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Plainsboro |
| River/Stream | Cranbury Brook |
| Coordinates | 40.30985, -74.51662 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 382 ft |
| Year Completed | 1840 (186 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 152 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 152 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 524 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | County of Middlesex, Engineering Department |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/22/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00152 |
| Federal ID | NJ00152 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |