Map of All 83 Delaware Dams
Delaware has 83 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 57 are classified as high hazard (69% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 3 Delaware dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Delaware dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Delaware to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Delaware Dams by the Numbers
- 83 total dams in Delaware
- 57 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 9 significant hazard
- 17 low hazard
- 4 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (4 poor, 0 unsatisfactory)
- 3 Delaware dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Delaware
The tallest dam in Delaware is Edgar M. Hoopes Dam at 127 feet, completed in 1932. The 10 tallest Delaware dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgar M. Hoopes Dam | 127 ft | 1932 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | New Castle |
| Newark Reservoir Dam | 70 ft | 2005 | Water Supply | Fair | New Castle |
| Carousel Pond Dam | 36 ft | – | Recreation | Satisfactory | New Castle |
| New Castle County Water Farm Wastewater Lagoon | 29 ft | – | Other | Fair | New Castle |
| Records Pond Dam | 25 ft | 1900 | Fish and Wildlife Pond | Satisfactory | Sussex |
| Rock Manor Golf Course Dam | 24 ft | 2007 | Flood Risk Reduction | Fair | New Castle |
| City of Wilmington Sewage Lagoon | 21 ft | – | Other | Fair | New Castle |
| Becks Pond Dam | 21 ft | – | Fish and Wildlife Pond | Fair | New Castle |
| City of Wilmington Sludge Disposal Area | 20 ft | – | Other | Fair | New Castle |
| Tailings Pond No. 3 Dam Getty Oil | 20 ft | 1960 | Other | Not Rated | New Castle |
High-Hazard Delaware Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 3 dams in Delaware. Notable examples:
- Millsboro Pond Dam (15 ft, Sussex County) — Fish and Wildlife Pond, Poor condition
- Griffith Lake Dam (13 ft, Kent County) — Fish and Wildlife Pond, Poor condition
- Shoals Branch Dam (11 ft, Sussex County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Delaware
Dam safety in Delaware is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Delaware?
Delaware has 83 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 57 high hazard, 9 significant hazard, and 17 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Delaware?
The tallest dam in Delaware is Edgar M. Hoopes Dam at 127 feet, completed in 1932. It is primarily a water supply structure.
How many Delaware dams are in poor condition?
4 Delaware dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 3 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
