Holly House Meadows Dam
Key Takeaway
Holly House Meadows Dam is classified as high hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1983 and is 43 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 20 ft (taller than 41.2% in MD) |
| Dam Length | 545 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 32 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,830 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1983 (43 years old) |
| Year Modified | 2013 |
| NID ID | MD00435 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Edward E Buffington
Private
Nearby Dams
Highland Lake
Howard, MD
Low Hazard 22 ftAshton Community Pond Dam
Montgomery, MD
Significant Hazard 22 ftGreat Star Drive Swm Dam
Howard, MD
Low Hazard 20 ftGreencastle Lakes (Ballenger Drive)
Montgomery, MD
Low Hazard 36 ftMary Lee Lane Swm Dam
Howard, MD
Significant Hazard 11 ftWarfield Range Dam (Hunters Way)
Howard, MD
Significant Hazard 20 ftT. Howard Duckett Dam
Howard, MD
High Hazard 139 ftMontgomery Auto Park Dam
Montgomery, MD
Low Hazard 29 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Holly House Meadows Dam?
Holly House Meadows 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 Holly House Meadows Dam?
Holly House Meadows Dam is owned by Edward E Buffington (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Holly House Meadows Dam built?
Holly House Meadows Dam was completed in 1983, making it 43 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 Holly House Meadows Dam?
Holly House Meadows Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Holly House Meadows Dam?
Holly House Meadows Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Holly House Meadows Dam last inspected?
Holly House Meadows Dam was last inspected on April 22, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.