Griffith Lake Dam

MISPILLION RIVER· Kent, Delaware· Gravity· 13 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Griffith Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Delaware. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 13 ft (taller than 37.8% in DE)
Dam Length858 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage409 acre-ft
Normal Storage143 acre-ft
Surface Area41 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge4,743 cfs
Year Modified2006
NID IDDE00043

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 27, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNREC

Ownership

DELDOT;DNREC DFW

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Griffith Lake Dam?

Griffith Lake 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 Griffith Lake Dam?

Griffith Lake Dam is owned by DELDOT;DNREC DFW (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Griffith Lake Dam?

Griffith Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Griffith Lake Dam?

Griffith Lake 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 Griffith Lake Dam last inspected?

Griffith Lake Dam was last inspected on May 27, 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.