Velvet Hills South Swm Dam
Velvet Hills South Swm Dam is an earth dam located in Baltimore County, Maryland, built in 1987. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Velvet Hills South Swm Dam
The primary purpose of Velvet Hills South Swm Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Baltimore County Deprm (local government). It impounds the Gwynns Falls-tr near Owings Mills.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 14 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1987, the structure is 39 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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 09/06/2022.
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Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Baltimore |
| Nearest City | Owings Mills |
| River/Stream | Gwynns Falls-tr |
| Coordinates | 39.44865, -76.78459 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1987 (39 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 14 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 14 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 410 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Baltimore County DEPRM |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/06/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00470 |
| Federal ID | MD00470 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |