Brighton West Swm Pond

Muddy Branch· Montgomery, Maryland· Built 1975· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Brighton West Swm Pond is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 29.7% in MD)
Dam Length610 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage135 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge9,406 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
Year Modified2005
NID IDMD00351

Safety Information

Low Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: February 8, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

City of Gaithersburg

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brighton West Swm Pond?

Brighton West Swm Pond 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 Brighton West Swm Pond?

Brighton West Swm Pond is owned by City of Gaithersburg (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brighton West Swm Pond built?

Brighton West Swm Pond was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Brighton West Swm Pond?

Brighton West Swm Pond serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Brighton West Swm Pond?

Brighton West Swm Pond has a dam height of 16 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 Brighton West Swm Pond last inspected?

Brighton West Swm Pond was last inspected on February 8, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.