Lake Allen Dam

MIDWAY BRANCH· Anne Arundel, Maryland· Built 1947· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Allen Dam is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 7.4% in MD)
Dam Length410 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage144 acre-ft
Normal Storage43 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDMD00066

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: November 18, 2016
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 Lake Allen Dam?

Lake Allen 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 Lake Allen Dam?

Lake Allen 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 Lake Allen Dam built?

Lake Allen Dam was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 Lake Allen Dam?

Lake Allen 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 Lake Allen Dam?

Lake Allen Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Lake Allen Dam last inspected?

Lake Allen Dam was last inspected on November 18, 2016. 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.