Laurel Lakes No 1 (lower)

About Laurel Lakes No 1 (lower)

The primary purpose of Laurel Lakes No 1 (lower) is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Prince Georges County Depart. Of The Environment (local government). It impounds the Bear Branch.

The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 266 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/15/2024.

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.