Sassafras Mill Dam is an earth dam located in Kent County, Maryland, built in 1934. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 10 ft10 ft tall and 388 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 Sassafras Mill Dam
The primary purpose of Sassafras Mill Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Philip Parish (private). It impounds the Herring Branch near Sassafras.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 388 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 87 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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 03/31/2022.
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Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Kent |
| Nearest City | Sassafras |
| River/Stream | Herring Branch |
| Coordinates | 39.37180, -75.80290 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 388 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 87 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 87 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 39 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 645 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Philip Parish |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/31/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00025 |
| Federal ID | MD00025 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |