Cash Lake Dam

PATUXENT-TR· Prince George's, Maryland· Built 1939· Earth· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Cash Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 29.7% in MD)
Dam Length771 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage584 acre-ft
Normal Storage163 acre-ft
Surface Area49 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge2,550 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDMD00013

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 1, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cash Lake Dam?

Cash Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cash Lake Dam?

Cash Lake Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cash Lake Dam built?

Cash Lake Dam was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Cash Lake Dam?

Cash Lake Dam 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 Cash Lake Dam?

Cash Lake Dam 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 Cash Lake Dam last inspected?

Cash Lake Dam was last inspected on October 1, 2019. 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.