Maryland's Dam Safety Program

MDE’s Dam Safety Program ensures all dams in Maryland are designed, constructed, operated and maintained safely to prevent dam failures and the consequences of failure.  MDE’s responsibilities include conducting inspections of dams based on their "hazard class," issuing permits for construction, repairs or for modifying dam structures; conducting construction inspections and working with dam owners and emergency management professionals to develop and exercise 'Emergency Action Plan' to be used in the event of dam failure.  A Fact Sheet on MDE's Dam Safety program may be downloaded here:

MDE Dam Safety Program Fact Sheet

Maryland Dams

Little Seneca Dam, pictured above, is an earth fill embankment dam that provides recreation and supplemental releases to the Potomac River during low flow conditions on the Potomac River.  

A dam is defined as any obstruction, wall, or embankment, together with its abutments and appurtenant works, constructed for the purpose of storing water.  Dams may be constructed of earth, concrete, wood or rock. Most dams in Maryland consist of an earthen embankment to store water and a combination of spillways designed to pass water safely around or through the facility.

Dams can provide many benefits for Maryland's citizens including water supply, flood control, hydroelectric power, fishing and recreation.  However, dams can also be a great threat to the safety and well being of downstream property and people if they are not properly constructed or maintained.  The State of Maryland has been assuring the safety of dams since 1934 through a permit and inspection program.  The laws governing dam safety are administered by MDE’s Dam Safety Division.

Examples of Maryland Dams

There are over 400 dams in Maryland, ranging in height from six to 296 feet.

The majority of Maryland's dams are earth fill or earth and rock fill embankment dams such as Savage River Dam. There are also several large concrete and "slab and buttress" dams that provide storage for drinking water such as Liberty Dam, Prettyboy Dam and Brighton Dam.