Griffith Lake Dam
Griffith Lake Dam is a gravity dam located in Kent County, Delaware. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Griffith Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Griffith Lake 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 Mispillion River near Milford.
The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 858 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 41 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 409 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/23/2024.
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 | Milford |
| River/Stream | Mispillion River |
| Coordinates | 38.91121, -75.46481 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 858 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 409 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 409 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 143 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,743 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | DELDOT;DNREC DFW |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/23/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | DE00043 |
| Federal ID | DE00043 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |