Smithsburg Reservoir
Smithsburg Reservoir is an earth dam located in Washington County, Maryland, built in 1881. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Smithsburg Reservoir
The primary purpose of Smithsburg Reservoir is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Hagerstown (local government). It impounds the Beaver Creek-os near Cavetown.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 2,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 83 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1881, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/21/2022.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Washington |
| Nearest City | Cavetown |
| River/Stream | Beaver Creek-os |
| Coordinates | 39.64875, -77.57804 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1881 (145 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 83 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 83 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 61 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Hagerstown |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00007 |
| Federal ID | MD00007 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |