Lake Jenkins

Potomac River-TR· Washington, Maryland· Built 1936· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Jenkins is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 80.1% in MD)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage43 acre-ft
Normal Storage33 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge666 cfs
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
Year Modified1936
NID IDMD00153

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: October 31, 2018
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 Lake Jenkins?

Lake Jenkins 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 Jenkins?

Lake Jenkins 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 Lake Jenkins built?

Lake Jenkins was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Jenkins?

Lake Jenkins 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 Jenkins?

Lake Jenkins has a dam height of 35 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 Jenkins last inspected?

Lake Jenkins was last inspected on October 31, 2018. 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.