Becks Pond Dam dam
Becks Pond Dam
Becks Pond Dam, located in Heather Woods, Delaware, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. This gravity dam, with a height of 21 feet and a length of 348 feet, holds a normal storage capacity of 140.3 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 500 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Belltown Run, is managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and is inspected regularly to ensure its fair condition and high hazard potential are monitored and managed effectively.
The controlled spillway of Becks Pond Dam has a width of 39 feet, and it is equipped with other controlled outlet gates to regulate discharge. With a very high risk rating and a history of modifications and inspections dating back to 2020, the dam is essential for flood control and recreational activities in the area. Lisa Blunt Rochester, the Congressional representative for the district, oversees the management and regulatory aspects of the dam, ensuring the safety of the surrounding community and wildlife.
As a crucial water resource infrastructure, Becks Pond Dam plays a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities for residents. With its significant storage capacity and controlled spillway, the dam stands as a symbol of environmental stewardship and regulatory diligence in managing water resources. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's fair condition and regular inspections showcase a commitment to public safety and environmental protection in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Becks Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Christina River At Coochs Bridge | 11 cfs | → |
| White Clay Creek At Newark | 49 cfs | → |
| White Clay Creek Near Newark | 54 cfs | → |
| Big Elk Creek At Elk Mills | 33 cfs | → |
| Red Clay Creek Near Stanton | 36 cfs | → |
| White Clay Creek Near Strickersville | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Becks Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Churchmans Road New Castle County
- Officers Row New Castle County
- I 95;Us 202 Wilmington
- Riviera Drive 54, Pennsville
- Delaware Memorial Bridge Pennsville Township
- Hawks Bridge Road 740, Salem County
Campgrounds
- Lums Pond Youth Camping
- Sandy Hill Camp
- Camp Rodney
- Yogi Bear Tall Pines Campground
- Camp Horseshoe
- Ramblewood
Fishing spots
Track Becks Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Becks Pond Dam
Where does the data for Becks Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Becks Pond Dam.