Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road)
Key Takeaway
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is water supply.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 11 ft (taller than 7.4% in MD) |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 122 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 43 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,820 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
| NID ID | MD00191 |
Safety Information
No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Cecil County
Local Government
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High Hazard 17 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road)?
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road)?
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) is owned by Cecil County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) built?
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) was completed in 1900, making it 126 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.
What is the primary purpose of Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road)?
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road)?
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) has a dam height of 11 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.
When was Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) last inspected?
Back Creek Dam (Old Telegraph Road) was last inspected on February 14, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.