Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam

Cooper River· Camden, New Jersey· Built 1940· Earth· 15 ft tall

Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam is classified as significant hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	15 ft (taller than 51.4% in NJ)
Dam Length	156 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	2.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage	1.2K acre-ft

Surface Area	190 acres
Drainage Area	37 sq mi
Max Discharge	8,500 cfs
Year Completed	1940 (86 years old)
NID ID	NJ00393

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: October 29, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NJDEP

Ownership

County of Camden Park Commission

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam?

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam?

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam is owned by County of Camden Park Commission (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam built?

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam?

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam?

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam last inspected?

Cooper River Parkway (Kaighn Ave) Dam was last inspected on October 29, 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.