Camp Karney Dam

Salem River· Salem, New Jersey· Built 1953· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Camp Karney Dam is classified as low hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 39.5% in NJ)
Dam Length1,500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage259 acre-ft
Normal Storage77 acre-ft
Surface Area26 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge2,734 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDNJ00106

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 11, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

County of Salem

Local Government

Nearby Dams

East Lake Dam

Salem, NJ

Significant Hazard 11 ft

Slabtown Lake Dam

Salem, NJ

Low Hazard 10 ft

Veteran Memorial Lake Dam

Salem, NJ

Low Hazard 14 ft

Daretown Lake Dam

Salem, NJ

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Sadies Dam

Salem, NJ

Significant Hazard 14 ft

Roosevelt Camp Dam

Salem, NJ

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Harrisonville Dam

Gloucester, NJ

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Ballingers Mill Pond Dam

Salem, NJ

Significant Hazard 18 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Camp Karney Dam?

Camp Karney Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Camp Karney Dam?

Camp Karney Dam is owned by County of Salem (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Camp Karney Dam built?

Camp Karney Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Camp Karney Dam?

Camp Karney Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Camp Karney Dam?

Camp Karney Dam has a dam height of 13 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Camp Karney Dam last inspected?

Camp Karney Dam was last inspected on June 11, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.