Coursey Pond Dam
Coursey Pond Dam is a gravity dam located in Kent County, Delaware, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Coursey Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Coursey Pond Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Deldot;dnrec Dfw (state). It impounds the Murderkill River near Frederica.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 50 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,171 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 21 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/13/2024.
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 | Kent |
| Nearest City | Frederica |
| River/Stream | Murderkill River |
| Coordinates | 38.98888, -75.51053 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 750 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,171 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,171 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 142 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 50 acres |
| Drainage Area | 21 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,798 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | DELDOT;DNREC DFW |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/13/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | DE00038 |
| Federal ID | DE00038 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |