Dry Run Detention Dam And Culvert
Dry Run Detention Dam And Culvert is a gravity dam located in Allegany County, Maryland, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Dry Run Detention Dam And Culvert
The primary purpose of Dry Run Detention Dam And Culvert 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 City Of Cumberland (local government). It impounds the Wills Creek-tr near Cumberland.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 66 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/12/2024.
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.
Location
| State | Maryland |
| County | Allegany |
| Nearest City | Cumberland |
| River/Stream | Wills Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 39.66250, -78.76600 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 66 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 66 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,070 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | City of Cumberland |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MD00476 |
| Federal ID | MD00476 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |