Brighton
Brighton is a buttress dam located in Montgomery County, Maryland, built in 1943. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Brighton
The primary purpose of Brighton is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (local government). It impounds the Patuxent River near Laurel.
The dam stands 82 feet tall and stretches 995 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 800 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 19,560 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 77 square miles. Completed in 1943, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/07/2022.
At 82 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Maryland dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Montgomery |
| Nearest City | Laurel |
| River/Stream | Patuxent River |
| Coordinates | 39.19291, -77.00534 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 82 ft |
| Dam Height | 82 ft |
| Dam Length | 995 ft |
| Year Completed | 1943 (83 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 19,560 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 19,560 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 17,200 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 800 acres |
| Drainage Area | 77 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 83,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/07/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00005 |
| Federal ID | MD00005 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |