Wagamons Pond Dam

BROADKILL RIVER· Sussex, Delaware· Built 1815· Gravity· 17 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Wagamons Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in Delaware. It was completed in 1815 and is 211 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 17 ft (taller than 75.6% in DE)
Dam Length845 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage260 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area112 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge5,472 cfs
Year Completed1815 (211 years old)
NID IDDE00061

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;DNREC DFW

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wagamons Pond Dam?

Wagamons 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 Wagamons Pond Dam?

Wagamons 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 Wagamons Pond Dam built?

Wagamons Pond Dam was completed in 1815, making it 211 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 Wagamons Pond Dam?

Wagamons 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 Wagamons Pond Dam?

Wagamons Pond Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Wagamons Pond Dam last inspected?

Wagamons 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.