Atkisson Reservoir
Atkisson Reservoir is a concrete dam located in Harford County, Maryland, built in 1942. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Atkisson Reservoir
The primary purpose of Atkisson 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 Aberdeen Proving Ground (federal). It impounds the Winters Run near Edgewood.
The dam stands 59 feet tall and stretches 439 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 127 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,510 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 44 square miles. Completed in 1942, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/28/2022.
At 59 feet, this dam is taller than 95% 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 | Harford |
| Nearest City | Edgewood |
| River/Stream | Winters Run |
| Coordinates | 39.47678, -76.33894 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 59 ft |
| Dam Height | 56 ft |
| Dam Length | 439 ft |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,510 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,510 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 928 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 127 acres |
| Drainage Area | 44 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Aberdeen Proving Ground |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/28/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00067 |
| Federal ID | MD00067 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |