Popular pond and dam near Seaford to see $4.1 million rehab project

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Hearns Pond Dam during heavy rain. (DNREC PHOTO)
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Hearns Pond Dam during heavy rain. (DNREC PHOTO)
Hearns Pond Dam during heavy rain. (DNREC PHOTO)

Details were released this week on work to rehabilitate the aging Hearns Pond Dam and bring it into compliance with Delaware’s Dam Safety Regulations.

The dam is the state’s top priority for improvements based on the risk to downstream communities and infrastructure should the dam fail.

“Hearns Pond Dam is the first total dam rehabilitation project by DNREC and DelDOT and represents the culmination of more than 10 years of work to develop a comprehensive dam safety program for the state,” said DNREC Sec. David Small. “The dam’s history of failing during storms makes this reconstruction our highest priority. I am pleased to be here as we begin this DNREC-DelDOT partnership that is not only important for the safety and protection of the public, but will reduce the risk of property damage in the event of a dam emergency.”

Hearns Pond is a popular fishing, boating and recreational area, ranking as the seventh most heavily fished state pond in Delaware with almost 10,000 angler visits per year.

A recent study conducted by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, the agency that operates and maintains the pond and boat ramp, found that 71 percent of Hearns Pond anglers use the ramp to access the pond for fishing.

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Hearns Pond Dam, like many Sussex County pond dams, was constructed for milling grain. In the early 1900’s the present-day spillway and embankment were built, creating the 66-acre pond.

The historic Hearns & Rawlins Mill building, purchased by DNREC in 2013 as part of the acquisition of a privately-owned portion of the dam, is eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mill building will be stabilized and monitored during the dam’s reconstruction.

During storms in August 2001 and June 2006, the Hearns Pond Dam was overtopped and seriously damaged causing downstream flooding.

In 2001 the southern section of the dam was completely washed out, flooding Route 13A. Sediment from the pond was washed into downstream waterways and wetlands, impacting water quality and wildlife habitat in the area.

The dam was rebuilt in 2002, but in June 2006 was overtopped by flood waters again and the rebuilt section was partially washed away. In both the 2001 and 2006 floods, residents of a Seaford heath care facility were relocated until floodwaters subsided.

Like many older dams across the country, the Hearns Pond Dam was not built to withstand extreme rainfall events, such as those that occurred in 2001 and 2006.

The rehabilitation of the dam will include the construction of a new larger spillway and concrete blocks will be installed on the earth embankment to prevent erosion. A new boat ramp will replace the current ramp to provide improved amenities and ease-of-service that will boost recreational opportunities and visitors to the pond.

“With the flooding issues already in Seaford, this project is imperative. Having the dam in compliance with safety regulations means people downstream can rest a little easier when experiencing the next big storm, said State Senator Bryant Richardson (R- Laurel). “The new boat ramp will improve access to the pond for fishing and boating or just enjoying a beautiful and historic area.  This project shows how much can be done when everyone is working together.”

The Hearns Pond Dam rehabilitation represents the first joint DNREC-DelDOT Dam Preservation Program project. In 2009 DNREC funded a study to evaluate the condition of the dam and develop alternatives for bringing the dam into compliance with the state’s new Dam Safety Regulations. Since then, DNREC and DelDOT have been working together to fund, design and construct the improvements.

Hearns Pond Dam construction is expected to cost $4.2 million, funded by state Bond Bill appropriations. The project is anticipated to be completed by May 2017.

The dam, boat ramp and parking lot are closed and will remain closed while the replacement dam and ramp are built.  Boaters who regularly use Hearns Pond may opt to use Concord Pond, located approximately 3.5 miles southeast near Seaford, or Craigs Pond, located approximately 5 miles southwest near Seaford.

Through the Delaware Dam Safety Program, DNREC has regulatory responsibility for 41 state-owned dams.

DNREC and DelDOT partner on dam inspections, preparing Emergency Action Plans and coordinating maintenance, operations and emergency management activities. They also work cooperatively leveraging state funding to perform dam break inundation mapping, engineering studies and the design and construction of improvement and rehabilitation projects.

For more information on Delaware’s Dam Safety Program, visit DNREC’s website, http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Drainage/Pages/DamSafety.aspx.

 

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