Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower)

Bear Branch· Prince George's, Maryland· Built 1986· Earth· 21 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) is classified as significant hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 47.7% in MD)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage266 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge3,000 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
Year Modified1986
NID IDMD00232

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: December 6, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Prince Georges County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower)?

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower)?

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) is owned by Prince Georges County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) built?

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower)?

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) 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 Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower)?

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) has a dam height of 21 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 Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) last inspected?

Laurel Lakes No 1 (Lower) was last inspected on December 6, 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.