Powellville Dam is an earth dam located in Wicomico County, Maryland, built in 1940. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 9 ft9 ft tall and 550 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Powellville Dam
The primary purpose of Powellville 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 Md Dot-state Highway Admin District 1 (state). It impounds the Adkins Race near Powellville.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 186 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 32 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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. The most recent inspection on record was 10/26/2023.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Wicomico |
| Nearest City | Powellville |
| River/Stream | Adkins Race |
| Coordinates | 38.33080, -75.37370 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 186 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 186 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 77 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 32 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,580 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Md Dot-state Highway Admin District 1 |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/26/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00015 |
| Federal ID | MD00015 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |