Watchung Square Dam
Watchung Square Dam is an earth dam located in Somerset County, New Jersey. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Watchung Square Dam
The primary purpose of Watchung Square 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 Watchung Square Assoc. (private). It impounds the Green Brook near N. Plainfield.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 11 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 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 05/05/2023.
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Location
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Somerset |
| Nearest City | N. Plainfield |
| River/Stream | Green Brook |
| Coordinates | 40.64083, -74.41915 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 750 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Watchung Square Assoc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/05/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NJ00929 |
| Federal ID | NJ00929 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |