Silver Lake Dam - Milford dam
Silver Lake Dam - Milford
Silver Lake Dam in Milford, Delaware, also known as Milford Mill Pond, is a state-owned structure regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Completed in 1964, this gravity dam primarily serves the purpose of a Fish and Wildlife Pond, offering recreational opportunities in addition to its ecological functions. Located on the Mispillion River in Kent County, the dam stands at a height of 13.37 feet and has a length of 750 feet, with a storage capacity of 520 acre-feet.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment of fair, Silver Lake Dam poses a significant risk due to its very high risk assessment level. Despite this, the dam is inspected regularly, with the last assessment conducted in October 2020. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 90 feet and one other controlled outlet gate. The surrounding area covers 32.2 acres, with a drainage area of 26.6 square miles, making it an important water resource for the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Silver Lake Dam - Milford an intriguing structure due to its dual purpose of wildlife conservation and recreational use, while also being a vital component in the local ecosystem. The dam's risk assessment and hazard potential highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality in the face of changing environmental conditions. With its location on the Mispillion River and its critical role in water management, Silver Lake Dam serves as a focal point for conservation efforts and climate resilience 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverdam Branch At Houston | 0 cfs | → |
| Murderkill River At Bowers | 493 cfs | → |
| Marshyhope Creek Near Adamsville | 22 cfs | → |
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| St Jones River At Dover | 12 cfs | → |
| Choptank River Near Greensboro | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Silver Lake Dam - Milford.
Boat launches
- Millwood Road Kent County
- Williamsville Road 5072, Milford
- Lighthouse Road Sussex County
- Canterbury Road Kent County
- Wagamons Pond Boat Ramp
- Kent County
Campgrounds
- Dover Afb Military
- Tall Pines Campground
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Soroptimist Park
- Trap Pond State Park
- Massey Landing
Fishing spots
Track Silver Lake Dam - Milford 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford
Where does the data for Silver Lake Dam - Milford 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 Silver Lake Dam - Milford.