Edgar M. Hoopes Dam
Edgar M. Hoopes Dam is a concrete dam located in New Castle County, Delaware, built in 1932. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Edgar M. Hoopes Dam
The primary purpose of Edgar M. Hoopes Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Wilmington (local government). It impounds the Red Clay Creek-tr near Wooddale.
The dam stands 127 feet tall and stretches 840 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 201 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,068 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1932, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/09/2020.
At 127 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Delaware dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Delaware |
| County | New Castle |
| Nearest City | Wooddale |
| River/Stream | Red Clay Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 39.77415, -75.63423 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 127 ft |
| Dam Length | 840 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 9,068 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 9,068 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,635 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 201 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,668 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF WILMINGTON |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/09/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | DE00015 |
| Federal ID | DE00015 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |