Dam Preservation Program

Welcome to the Dam Preservation Program homepage! Find out more about this unique program founded on a partnership between DelDOT and DNREC with the goal of ensuring state regulated dams are safe and well maintained.

Welcome to the Dam Preservation Program homepage! Find out more about this unique program founded on a partnership between DelDOT and DNREC with the goal of ensuring state regulated dams are safe and well maintained. Overview The Dam Preservation Program was established in December 2013 by a Memorandum of Agreement executed by the secretaries of both departments. The need for such a program was established well before that time as a result of shared responsibilities at many of the state regulated dams and a significant number of dam failures over the past century. DNREC is home to the Dam Safety Program, which regulated dams across the state. DNREC also has sole or joint ownership responsibilities at 25 regulated dams. DelDOT has sole or joint ownership responsibilities at 35 regulated dams, due to their dual function as both an earthen dam and a roadway. This unique partnership between DNREC and DelDOT, a first in the country, established a commitment of annual funding for maintaining and rehabilitating state regulated dams, as well as a commitment of shared resources between DNREC and DelDOT. More information about the Dam Safety Program can be found at https://de.gov/damsafety. More information about the Dam Preservation can be found in the video below.