Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive)

Muddy Branch-TR· Montgomery, Maryland· Built 1992· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1992 and is 34 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 36.5% in MD)
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage62 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1992 (34 years old)
Year Modified1998
NID IDMD00538

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: April 16, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

City of Gaithersburg

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive)?

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) 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 Varuna (Lakelands Drive)?

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) is owned by City of Gaithersburg (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) built?

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) was completed in 1992, making it 34 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 Varuna (Lakelands Drive)?

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive)?

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) has a dam height of 18 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 Varuna (Lakelands Drive) last inspected?

Lake Varuna (Lakelands Drive) was last inspected on April 16, 2021. 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.