Burton Pond Dam

CHAPEL BRANCH· Sussex, Delaware· Gravity· 10 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Burton Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in Delaware. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 9.8% in DE)
Dam Length677 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage363 acre-ft
Normal Storage245 acre-ft
Surface Area54 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge356 cfs
NID IDDE00062

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 17, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNREC

Ownership

DELDOT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Burton Pond Dam?

Burton Pond Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Burton Pond Dam?

Burton Pond Dam is owned by DELDOT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Burton Pond Dam?

Burton Pond 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 Burton Pond Dam?

Burton Pond Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Burton Pond Dam last inspected?

Burton Pond Dam was last inspected on May 17, 2022. 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.