Horseys Pond Dam

LITTLE CREEK· Sussex, Delaware· Built 1956· Gravity· 19 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Horseys Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in Delaware. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. 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 19 ft (taller than 85.4% in DE)
Dam Length249 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage689 acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Max Discharge969 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDDE00022

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: April 13, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNREC

Ownership

DELDOT;DNREC DFW

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Horseys Pond Dam?

Horseys 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 Horseys Pond Dam?

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

When was Horseys Pond Dam built?

Horseys Pond Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Horseys Pond Dam?

Horseys Pond 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 Horseys Pond Dam?

Horseys Pond Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Horseys Pond Dam last inspected?

Horseys Pond Dam was last inspected on April 13, 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.