State and local officials were on hand this week to cut the ribbon that marked the completion of the Hearns Pond Dam project near Seaford.
It is the first of several projects aimed at dealing with deteriorating dams in central and southern Delaware.
“Maintaining and improving our infrastructure is critical for our residents and our economy,” said Gov. John Carney. “The dam at Hearns Pond was ranked as the highest priority dam in the state in need of repairs and increased capacity. With every heavy rainfall, the local community held their breath in concern for the stability of this dam. Today, residents and businesses of the Seaford community can rest easier knowing this dam is the first in the state to undergo a total rehabilitation and is fully compliant with our new dam safety program.”
The Delaware Department of Transportation and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control work together as state agencies to inspect, design, construct and maintain dams statewide.
In 2013, Hearns Pond Dam was identified as the highest priority dam in the state in need of repairs and increased capacity. Hearns Pond Dam is the first project completed under this partnership agreement between DNREC and DelDOT.
Hearns Pond Dam failed during a storm in August 2001 and was overtopped during a June 2006 storm.
The rehabilitation consisted of replacing the spillway and the twin box culverts at the dam with a larger spillway and culvert to pass the flow of water, plus the embankments are armored with precast concrete blocks. A new boat ramp was also reconstructed. The contractor for these improvements is KC Construction of Ivyland, PA.
Upcoming Rehabilitation Projects:
Records Pond Dam, Laurel (Construction, fiscal 2019)
Burtons Pond, Long Neck (Construction fiscal 21/22)
Blairs Pond Dam, Milford
Silver Lake Dam, Milford
Millsboro Pond Dam, Millsboro
Repair Projects:
Spillway improvements at Chipmans Pond Dam, Laurel; Concord Pond Dam and Craigs Pond Dam, both near Seaford; Construction started in July 2017
Spillway improvements at Mudmill Pond Dam near Marydel (Tentative Schedule 2018)
Spillway repairs at Garrisons Lake Dam near Cheswold (Tentative Schedule 2018 or 2019)
