Wagamons Pond Dam dam
Wagamons Pond Dam
Wagamons Pond Dam, also known as Lavinia, Milton, and Paynters, is a gravity dam located in Sussex County, Delaware, along the Broadkill River. Built in 1815, this historic structure serves as a fish and wildlife pond, providing essential habitat for local fauna and a picturesque backdrop for recreational activities. With a height of 17.39 feet and a length of 845 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 260 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 112.01 acres.
Managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Wagamons Pond Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its age and condition. Despite being rated as fair in terms of its structural integrity, the dam underwent hydraulic modifications in 1992 to enhance its safety measures. Regular inspections are conducted, with the most recent assessment taking place in May 2020. The dam is equipped with controlled spillways and outlet gates to manage water flow and prevent overtopping during high-discharge events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and ecological importance of Wagamons Pond Dam. As a vital component of the local landscape, this gravity dam exemplifies the intersection of human engineering with natural ecosystems. With its rich history, diverse wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities, Wagamons Pond Dam stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between water resources and environmental conservation in Delaware.
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 Wagamons Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Millsboro Pond Outlet At Millsboro | 42 cfs | → |
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Branch At Houston | 0 cfs | → |
| Murderkill River At Bowers | 493 cfs | → |
| Marshyhope Creek Near Adamsville | 20 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Ditch Near Millville | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wagamons Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Wagamons Pond Boat Ramp
- Coast Guard Access Lewes
- Lighthouse Road Sussex County
- Gravel Hill Road Sussex County
- Cupola Park Boat Ramp 110, Millsboro
- Cupola Park Boat Ramp 101, Millsboro
Campgrounds
- Tall Pines Campground
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Massey Landing
- Delaware Seashore State Park
- Soroptimist Park
- Trap Pond State Park
Fishing spots
Track Wagamons 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 Wagamons Pond Dam
Where does the data for Wagamons 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 Wagamons Pond Dam.