T. Howard Duckett Dam
T. Howard Duckett Dam is a buttress dam located in Howard County, Maryland, built in 1953. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About T. Howard Duckett Dam
The primary purpose of T. Howard Duckett 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 Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (public utility). It impounds the Patuxent River near Laurel.
The dam stands 139 feet tall and stretches 1,965 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 773 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 59,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 132 square miles. Completed in 1953, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/24/2024.
At 139 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Howard |
| Nearest City | Laurel |
| River/Stream | Patuxent River |
| Coordinates | 39.11670, -76.87510 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 139 ft |
| Dam Height | 139 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,965 ft |
| Year Completed | 1953 (73 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 59,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 59,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 17,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 773 acres |
| Drainage Area | 132 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 108,526 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/24/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00020 |
| Federal ID | MD00020 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |