Red Mill Pond Dam dam
Red Mill Pond Dam
Red Mill Pond Dam, located in Sussex, Delaware, is a gravity-type dam completed in 1925 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 11.78 feet and with a length of 630 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 636 acre-feet and serves as a controlled spillway for the MARTIN BRANCH river or stream. The dam is state-regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and has been assessed to have a fair condition with a high hazard potential.
The dam's associated structures include three other controlled outlet gates, and it has a surface area of 201 acres with a drainage area of 7.2 square miles. Despite meeting state inspection, permitting, and enforcement requirements, the dam presents a very high risk, ranked as 1, indicating the need for vigilant risk management measures. The emergency action plan (EAP) status for Red Mill Pond Dam is unspecified, and the hazard potential coupled with the risk assessment underscores the importance of preparedness and monitoring for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in this critical infrastructure.
With its historical significance dating back almost a century, Red Mill Pond Dam remains a focal point for recreational activities while also posing challenges in terms of risk management and maintenance. As climate change continues to impact water resources, ensuring the safety and integrity of dams like Red Mill Pond is paramount. This case study exemplifies the intersection of water management, infrastructure resilience, and environmental stewardship, making it a compelling subject for those passionate about sustainable water resource practices and climate adaptation strategies.
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 Red Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Millsboro Pond Outlet At Millsboro | 39 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Ditch Near Millville | 2 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Branch At Houston | 0 cfs | → |
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 36 cfs | → |
| Murderkill River At Bowers | 493 cfs | → |
| Birch Branch At Showell | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Red Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Coast Guard Access Lewes
- Wagamons Pond Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive Sussex County
- Topaz Road Sussex County
- Paleo Way Sussex County
- Gravel Hill Road Sussex County
Campgrounds
- Tall Pines Campground
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Massey Landing
- Delaware Seashore State Park
- Trap Pond State Park
- Soroptimist Park
Fishing spots
Track Red Mill 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 Red Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Red Mill 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 Red Mill Pond Dam.