Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)

Western Branch-TR· Prince George's, Maryland· Built 1971· Earth· 38 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) is classified as high hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 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	38 ft (taller than 83.7% in MD)
Dam Length	600 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	520 acre-ft
Normal Storage	155 acre-ft

Surface Area	19 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
Max Discharge	667 cfs
Year Completed	1971 (55 years old)
Year Modified	1971
NID ID	MD00082

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: February 16, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Prince Georges County

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)?

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) 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 Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)?

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) is owned by Prince Georges County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) built?

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)?

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) 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 Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)?

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) has a dam height of 38 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 Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) last inspected?

Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) was last inspected on February 16, 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.