Emmitsburg Dam
Emmitsburg Dam is an earth dam located in Frederick County, Maryland, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Emmitsburg Dam
The primary purpose of Emmitsburg 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 Town Of Emmitsburg (local government). It impounds the Turkey Creek near Emmitsburg.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 487 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 222 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/04/2024.
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 | Frederick |
| Nearest City | Emmitsburg |
| River/Stream | Turkey Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.69591, -77.38854 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 487 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 222 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 222 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,456 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Emmitsburg |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/04/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00018 |
| Federal ID | MD00018 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |