Druid Hill Lake Reservoir and Storage Tanks is an earth dam located in Baltimore City, Maryland, built in 1871. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 118 ft118 ft tall and 3,000 ft long, taller than 98% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Druid Hill Lake Reservoir and Storage Tanks
The primary purpose of Druid Hill Lake Reservoir and Storage Tanks 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 Baltimore City Dpw Reservoir Section (local government). It impounds the Offstream-jones Falls near Baltimore City.
The dam stands 118 feet tall and stretches 3,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 48 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,880 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1871, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/13/2024.
At 118 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Baltimore City |
| Nearest City | Baltimore City |
| River/Stream | Offstream-jones Falls |
| Coordinates | 39.31856, -76.63152 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1871 (155 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,880 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,880 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,180 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 48 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 240 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Baltimore City Dpw Reservoir Section |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/13/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00109 |
| Federal ID | MD00109 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |