Plainsboro Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 11 ft11 ft tall and 500 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Plainsboro Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Plainsboro Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Township of Plainsboro (local government). It impounds the Cranbury Brook near West Windsor.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 378 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles.
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 03/11/2025.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | West Windsor |
| River/Stream | Cranbury Brook |
| Coordinates | 40.32658, -74.60253 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 378 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 378 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 220 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,549 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Township of Plainsboro |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/11/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00604 |
| Federal ID | NJ00604 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |