Mt. Soma Reservoir
Mt. Soma Reservoir is an earth dam located in Harford County, Maryland, built in 2018. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Mt. Soma Reservoir
The primary purpose of Mt. Soma 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 Maryland American Water Co (public utility). It impounds the Winters Run-os near Bel Air.
The dam stands 61 feet tall and stretches 2,025 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 377 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 2018, the structure is relatively new.
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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/24/2024.
At 61 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 | Bel Air |
| River/Stream | Winters Run-os |
| Coordinates | 39.51776, -76.37006 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 61 ft |
| Dam Height | 61 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,025 ft |
| Year Completed | 2018 (8 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 377 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 377 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 288 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 48 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Maryland American Water Co |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/24/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00586 |
| Federal ID | MD00586 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |