GRIFFITH LAKE DAM - DE00043-3532
Dam Name: GRIFFITH LAKE DAM
State: DE
Downstream Hazard Potential: H
Incident Type: Non-Failure
Incident Date: 08/16/2023
Incident Driver: Seepage/Internal Erosion
Incident Mechanism 1: Piping
Incident Mechanism 2Spillway Chute Failure
Incident Mechanism 3
Incident IDDE00043-3532
Incident DescriptionActive piping issue discovered on 8/16/23. The water level in the pond was lowered and an unsuccessful attempt to fill the voids under the spillway was made.
Named Hydrologic Event
EAP Enacted (Y/N) due to Incident
Fatalities (Number)
Number of People Evacuated
Number of Habitable Structures Evacuated
Number of Habitable Structures Flooded
Other Infrastructure Impacts
Economic Damages (in $)
ResponseAn unsuccessful attempt to fill the voids under the spillway was made. A replacement spillway design is being expedited.
Volume released at failure (ac-ft)
Additional Remarks or Updates
Owner TypeS
Dam TypePGRE
Primary Purpose(s)FR
EAPY
Dam Height13 ft
Max Storage (ac-ft)310.00
Surface Area (acres)40.00
Year Completed
NID NumberDE00043
River NameMISPILLION RIVER
Latitude38.9112
Longitude-75.4648
Year Modified
2006
Regulatory Agency(ies)DNREC
Incident Time
Incident Duration
Incident Report Produced
Information SourcesDE Dam Safety
