Umbc Dam
Umbc Dam is an earth dam located in Baltimore County, Maryland, built in 1976. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Umbc Dam
The primary purpose of Umbc Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Md Umbc (state). It impounds the Herbert Run near Arbutus.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 255 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 185 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/29/2024.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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 | Arbutus |
| River/Stream | Herbert Run |
| Coordinates | 39.25807, -76.70629 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 255 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 11,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | MD UMBC |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/29/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00034 |
| Federal ID | MD00034 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |