Silver Lake Dam - Milford

MISPILLION RIVER· Kent, Delaware· Built 1964· Gravity· 13 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Silver Lake Dam - Milford is classified as high hazard in Delaware. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 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 13 ft (taller than 37.8% in DE)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage520 acre-ft
Normal Storage378 acre-ft
Surface Area32 acres
Drainage Area27 sq mi
Max Discharge5,040 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDDE00041

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: October 18, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DNREC

Ownership

DNREC DFW

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Silver Lake Dam - Milford?

Silver Lake Dam - Milford 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford?

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

When was Silver Lake Dam - Milford built?

Silver Lake Dam - Milford was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford?

Silver Lake Dam - Milford 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford?

Silver Lake Dam - Milford 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford last inspected?

Silver Lake Dam - Milford was last inspected on October 18, 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.