Daniels Dam

Patapsco River· Baltimore, Maryland· Built 1833· Buttress· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Daniels Dam is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1833 and is 193 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 67.4% in MD)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeButtress
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage514 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area266 sq mi
Max Discharge14,500 cfs
Year Completed1833 (193 years old)
NID IDMD00136

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: May 2, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

MD DNR-Public Lands, Engineering & Constr-Central

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Daniels Dam?

Daniels Dam 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 Daniels Dam?

Daniels Dam is owned by MD DNR-Public Lands, Engineering & Constr-Central (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Daniels Dam built?

Daniels Dam was completed in 1833, making it 193 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 Daniels Dam?

Daniels Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Daniels Dam?

Daniels Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Daniels Dam last inspected?

Daniels Dam was last inspected on May 2, 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.