Closure for dam reconstruction will last until spring 2021

DOVER, Del. – The dam and associated fishing access areas at Records Pond in Laurel will be closed to public use during reconstruction of the dam from March 2 until the spring of 2021, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today.

Dam reconstruction is being coordinated by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT. More information about the project can be found on the DelDOT website.

The closures include Willow Street, which crosses the Records Pond dam, and all facilities located adjacent to the dam, including fishing piers, parking lots, and adjacent shoreline fishing access.

The Records Pond boat ramp, which is located on Route 13 a half mile away from the dam, will remain open. However, boaters are advised to keep clear of the dam construction area. Boaters should also be aware that the pond water level is expected to be lowered during dam construction, which could affect boat launching and use.

For more information on the Records Pond dam and piers closure, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, Joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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SLAUGHTER BEACH – DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve will close for the winter Saturday, Sept. 28, and will reopen Wednesday, April 1, 2020 for the busy spring and summer seasons. The center is owned and operated by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife and provides programming and exhibits about Delaware Bayshore aquatic life.

During the winter closure, the DuPont Nature Center’s handicap-accessible observation deck will remain open from dawn to dusk daily. The deck offers views of the Mispillion Harbor and surrounding saltmarsh and sandy beach habitat as well as a view of the Delaware Bay. During this time, visitors may see wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, bald eagles, northern harriers, and a variety of waterfowl such as buffleheads, hooded mergansers, and common goldeneye. Though the nature center is recognized as a place to view the spring shorebird migration, the viewing deck also provides excellent opportunities to see shorebirds like dunlin, sanderlings, and black-bellied plovers in the fall and winter months as well.

The nature center deck will not be actively maintained while the center is closed. Visitors are advised to take into consideration weather conditions prior to accessing the deck.

DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center is located at 2992 Lighthouse Road, east of Milford. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the DuPont Nature Center and its programs, please call 302-422-1329 or visit http://de.gov/dnc.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 239

DOVER – The intermittent closure of the Augustine Beach Boat Ramp near Port Penn and adjacent intertidal beach located on the south side of the existing rock groin has been extended through Thursday, Aug. 1 to complete maintenance dredging of the boat ramp access channel that has been delayed due to equipment issues, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today.

During this time period, the boat ramp will be closed from 8 a.m. each Monday until 5 p.m. each Thursday, reopening from 5 p.m. each Thursday until 8 a.m. each Monday. The site parking lot will remain open for the duration of the dredging project.

Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete, with full access restored, by Friday, Aug. 2.

Boaters who regularly use the Augustine Beach Boat Ramp may opt to use the Fort DuPont Boat Ramp, located approximately five miles north in Delaware City.

For more information, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 192

MILLSBORO – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will close the Millsboro Pond boat ramp and its associated facilities in Sussex County for a major reconstruction and expansion project beginning July 22, with completion anticipated Nov. 30, weather permitting. The project will involve total reconstruction of the boat ramp, installation of a new courtesy dock, expansion and repaving of the parking lot to provide additional parking, and installation of lights.

Ingrams Pond near Millsboro includes a boat ramp and is a nearby, alternate fishing location during the closure.

For more information on the Millsboro Pond boat ramp reconstruction project, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 189

DOVER – The Augustine Beach Boat Ramp near Port Penn and adjacent intertidal beach located on the south side of the existing rock groin will be periodically closed starting Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11 for maintenance dredging of the boat ramp access channel, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

During this time period, the boat ramp will be closed from 8 a.m. each Monday until 5 p.m. each Thursday, reopening from 5 p.m. each Thursday until 8 a.m. each Monday. The site parking lot will remain open for the duration of the dredging project.

Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete, with full access restored, by July 12.

Boaters who regularly use the Augustine Beach Boat Ramp may opt to use the Fort DuPont Boat Ramp, located approximately five miles north in Delaware City.

For more information, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 157