Chesapeake Ranch Estates Dam (chisolm Trail)
Chesapeake Ranch Estates Dam (chisolm Trail) is an earth dam located in Calvert County, Maryland, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Chesapeake Ranch Estates Dam (chisolm Trail)
The primary purpose of Chesapeake Ranch Estates Dam (chisolm Trail) is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Chesapeake Ranch Estates (private). It impounds the Mill Creek near Unnamed Communities.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 640 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 97 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,614 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1965, 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/28/2024.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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 | Calvert |
| Nearest City | Unnamed Communities |
| River/Stream | Mill Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.35730, -76.42220 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 640 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,614 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,614 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,534 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 97 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,250 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Chesapeake Ranch Estates |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/28/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00039 |
| Federal ID | MD00039 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |