Lake Roland Dam

About Lake Roland Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Roland Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Baltimore County Dept Of Public Works (local government). It impounds the Jones Falls near Baltimore.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 322 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 100 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,867 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 36 square miles. Completed in 1861, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/27/2024.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% 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.

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