Haven Lake Dam dam
Haven Lake Dam
Haven Lake Dam, located in Kent, Delaware, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife conservation while also providing opportunities for recreational activities. Managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), this gravity dam stands at a height of 16.82 feet with a length of 978 feet, impounding the waters of the Mispillion River to create a surface area of 88.4 acres.
With a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet and a controlled spillway width of 117 feet, Haven Lake Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and supporting the local ecosystem. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in May 2020. The risk assessment for this structure ranks as very high, highlighting the need for proper risk management measures to ensure public safety and the integrity of the dam.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, Haven Lake Dam stands as a beacon of resilience in the face of evolving challenges. Its importance in safeguarding wildlife habitats, providing recreational opportunities, and managing water flow underscores the critical role that dams play in the interplay between human activities and the natural environment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and supporting the maintenance and sustainable management of structures like Haven Lake Dam is essential for promoting a balanced and harmonious coexistence with our surroundings.
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 Haven Lake Dam -- 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 Haven Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Millwood Road Kent County
- Williamsville Road 5072, Milford
- Canterbury Road Kent County
- Lighthouse Road Sussex 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 Haven Lake 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 Haven Lake Dam
Where does the data for Haven Lake 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 Haven Lake Dam.