Daniels Dam
Daniels Dam is a buttress dam located in Baltimore County, Maryland, built in 1833. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Daniels Dam
The primary purpose of Daniels Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Md Dnr-public Lands, Engineering & Constr-central (state). It impounds the Patapsco River near Ellicott City.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 265 square miles. Completed in 1833, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 11/01/2024.
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Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Baltimore |
| Nearest City | Ellicott City |
| River/Stream | Patapsco River |
| Coordinates | 39.31477, -76.81619 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Buttress |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1833 (193 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 514 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 265 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 14,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MD DNR-Public Lands, Engineering & Constr-Central |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/01/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00136 |
| Federal ID | MD00136 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |