Hunting Creek Dam

Hunting Creek· Frederick, Maryland· Built 1969· Earth· 79 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Hunting Creek Dam is classified as high hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 79 ft (taller than 96.9% in MD)
Dam Length787 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage771 acre-ft
Surface Area46 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge33,400 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
Year Modified1969
NID IDMD00058

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: January 7, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

MD DNR-Public Lands, Engineering & Constr-Western

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hunting Creek Dam?

Hunting Creek 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 Hunting Creek Dam?

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

When was Hunting Creek Dam built?

Hunting Creek Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Hunting Creek Dam?

Hunting Creek 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 Hunting Creek Dam?

Hunting Creek Dam has a dam height of 79 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 Hunting Creek Dam last inspected?

Hunting Creek Dam was last inspected on January 7, 2022. 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.