Abbotts Pond Dam dam
Abbotts Pond Dam
Abbotts Pond Dam, located in Milford, Delaware, serves as a vital structure for fish and wildlife conservation as well as recreational activities. Completed in 1960, this gravity dam stands at a height of 14.91 feet and stretches 675 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 304 acre-feet. The dam is primarily regulated and inspected by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), ensuring its safety and compliance with state standards.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 40 feet, is of the controlled type, allowing for proper management of water flow and preventing potential flooding risks. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in May 2020. With a drainage area of 7.1 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 221.68 acre-feet, Abbotts Pond Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the Johnson Branch and providing a habitat for diverse wildlife species.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Abbotts Pond Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and environmental conservation. As a significant structure for fish and wildlife management, the dam represents a balance between harnessing natural resources for recreation while also ensuring the safety and sustainability of the ecosystem. With ongoing inspections and risk assessments, Abbotts Pond Dam stands as a testament to responsible water management practices in Delaware's landscape.
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 Abbotts Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverdam Branch At Houston | 0 cfs | → |
| Marshyhope Creek Near Adamsville | 22 cfs | → |
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| Murderkill River At Bowers | 493 cfs | → |
| Choptank River Near Greensboro | 33 cfs | → |
| St Jones River At Dover | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Abbotts Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Williamsville Road 5072, Milford
- Millwood Road Kent County
- Canterbury Road Kent County
- Lighthouse Road Sussex County
- Wagamons Pond Boat Ramp
- Hearns Mill Road Sussex County
Campgrounds
- Dover Afb Military
- Tall Pines Campground
- Soroptimist Park
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Trap Pond State Park
- Massey Landing
Fishing spots
Track Abbotts 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 Abbotts Pond Dam
Where does the data for Abbotts 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 Abbotts Pond Dam.