Hearns Pond Dam dam
Hearns Pond Dam
Hearns Pond Dam, also known as Hearn and Rawlin Mill Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Sussex, Delaware. Completed in 1912, this gravity dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, offering recreational opportunities in addition to its primary purpose. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 580 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 1434 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1371.36 acre-feet.
Managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Hearns Pond Dam has undergone several modifications over the years to enhance its structural and hydraulic components. The dam is equipped with a controlled spillway, measuring 102 feet in width, and features two vertical lift outlet gates for water release. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of November 2020, the dam is classified with a high hazard potential and a very high risk level, warranting ongoing risk management measures.
Located on the Clear Brook stream, Hearns Pond Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and wildlife conservation in the area. Its inspection, maintenance, and emergency action plan preparedness are essential to ensuring public safety and environmental protection. With its rich history and significance, the dam stands as an important landmark in the water infrastructure of Delaware, serving both practical and recreational purposes for the community.
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 Hearns Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| Marshyhope Creek Near Adamsville | 22 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Branch At Houston | 0 cfs | → |
| Millsboro Pond Outlet At Millsboro | 46 cfs | → |
| Chicamacomico River Near Salem | 7 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Near Salisbury | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hearns Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Hearns Mill Road Sussex County
- German Road 25095, Sussex County
- Nanticoke Avenue Seaford
- Park Lane Laurel
- Chipmans Pond Road Sussex County
- Shady Acres Lane 31202, Sussex County
Campgrounds
- Soroptimist Park
- Trap Pond State Park
- Tall Pines Campground
- Camp Sandy Pines
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Massey Landing
Fishing spots
Track Hearns 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 Hearns Pond Dam
Where does the data for Hearns 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 Hearns Pond Dam.