Sunset Lake Dam

About Sunset Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Sunset Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Newark Anglers Association (private). It impounds the Muddy Run near Cedar Farms.

The dam stands 13 feet tall and stretches 290 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 48 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 553 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century 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.

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.