Bethel Lake Dam
Bethel Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Gloucester County, New Jersey, built in 1942. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bethel Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Bethel 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 Gloucester (local government). It impounds the Mantua Creek near Sewell.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 175 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 126 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1942, 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 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 04/19/2024.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Gloucester |
| Nearest City | Sewell |
| River/Stream | Mantua Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.75472, -75.11748 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 175 ft |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 126 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 126 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 67 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 821 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | County of Gloucester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/19/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00406 |
| Federal ID | NJ00406 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |