Trap Pond Dam dam
Trap Pond Dam
Trap Pond Dam, located in Sussex, Delaware, is a gravity dam completed in 1938 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam sits on the Hitch Pond Branch and has a height of 14.27 feet and a length of 1040 feet, providing a storage capacity of 4343 acre-feet. With a surface area of 93.6 acres and a drainage area of 15.91 square miles, the dam also features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 130 feet.
Managed by the State of Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Trap Pond Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities. Although it has a fair condition assessment as of April 2020, the dam's hazard potential is considered high. Despite this, the risk assessment indicates a moderate risk level (3), prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the structure.
Trap Pond Dam, nestled in the serene surroundings of Lake Pines, serves as a vital recreational asset while also contributing to water resource management in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities of this dam's design, operation, and maintenance sheds light on the intricate balance between human recreation and environmental conservation. Moving forward, continued monitoring and maintenance efforts will be crucial in safeguarding Trap Pond Dam and its surrounding ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.
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 Trap Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Millsboro Pond Outlet At Millsboro | 46 cfs | → |
| Pocomoke River Near Willards | 13 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Near Salisbury | 17 cfs | → |
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| Birch Branch At Showell | 1 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Ditch Near Millville | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Trap Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Chipmans Pond Road Sussex County
- Shady Acres Lane 31202, Sussex County
- Park Lane Laurel
- Dogwood Lane Sussex County
- Leonards Mill Pond Drive 2899, Wicomico County
- 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 Trap 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 Trap Pond Dam
Where does the data for Trap 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 Trap Pond Dam.