Horseys Pond Dam dam
Horseys Pond Dam
Horseys Pond Dam, located in Laurel, Delaware, is a state-owned structure built in 1956 for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a dam height of 19.18 feet and a length of 249 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 689.41 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1057 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Little Creek and is regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
This gravity dam, with a buttress core type, is considered to have a high hazard potential and is classified as being in fair condition based on the most recent assessment in April 2020. The dam has a controlled spillway type with a width of 48 feet and is equipped with other controlled outlet gates. Despite its fair condition, the risk assessment for Horseys Pond Dam indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Horseys Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management of Fish and Wildlife Ponds for both recreational and ecological purposes. Its location in Sussex County, Delaware, within the Baltimore District, highlights the importance of state regulation and inspection to mitigate risks associated with dams, especially those with high hazard potentials. The detailed data on the dam's design, storage capacity, and hazard assessment provide valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in maintaining water infrastructure in a changing climate.
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 Horseys Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Near Salisbury | 17 cfs | → |
| Millsboro Pond Outlet At Millsboro | 46 cfs | → |
| Chicamacomico River Near Salem | 8 cfs | → |
| Pocomoke River Near Willards | 13 cfs | → |
| Marshyhope Creek Near Adamsville | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horseys Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Lane Laurel
- Shady Acres Lane 31202, Sussex County
- Chipmans Pond Road Sussex County
- Dogwood Lane Sussex County
- Nanticoke Avenue Seaford
- German Road 25095, Sussex County
Campgrounds
- Trap Pond State Park
- Soroptimist Park
- Camp Sandy Pines
- Tall Pines Campground
- Massey Landing
- Delaware Seashore State Park
Fishing spots
Track Horseys 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 Horseys Pond Dam
Where does the data for Horseys 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 Horseys Pond Dam.