Loch Raven Dam is a gravity dam located in Baltimore County, Maryland, built in 1923. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 130 ft130 ft tall and 623 ft long, taller than 98% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Loch Raven Dam
The primary purpose of Loch Raven Dam 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 Baltimore City Dpw Reservoir Section (local government). It impounds the Gunpowder River near Loch Raven.
The dam stands 130 feet tall and stretches 623 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,400 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 145,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 303 square miles. Completed in 1923, the structure is over a century old.
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 05/21/2024.
At 130 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Baltimore |
| Nearest City | Loch Raven |
| River/Stream | Gunpowder River |
| Coordinates | 39.43050, -76.54360 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 130 ft |
| Dam Height | 130 ft |
| Dam Length | 623 ft |
| Year Completed | 1923 (103 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 145,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 145,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 72,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,400 acres |
| Drainage Area | 303 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 173,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Baltimore City Dpw Reservoir Section |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/21/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00002 |
| Federal ID | MD00002 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |