Wagamons Pond Dam
Wagamons Pond Dam is a gravity dam located in Sussex County, Delaware, built in 1815. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Wagamons Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Wagamons 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 Broadkill River near Milton.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 845 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 112 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 260 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 22 square miles. Completed in 1815, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 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 05/09/2024.
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 | Sussex |
| Nearest City | Milton |
| River/Stream | Broadkill River |
| Coordinates | 38.77733, -75.31287 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 845 ft |
| Year Completed | 1815 (211 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 260 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 260 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 49 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 112 acres |
| Drainage Area | 22 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,472 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 | 05/09/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | DE00061 |
| Federal ID | DE00061 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |