Mays Chapel Reservoir

Offstream· Baltimore, Maryland· Built 1965· Earth· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mays Chapel Reservoir is classified as high hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 20 ft (taller than 41.2% in MD)
Dam Length1,500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
Year Modified2002
NID IDMD00364

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: December 22, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Baltimore City Dept of Public Works

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mays Chapel Reservoir?

Mays Chapel Reservoir 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 Mays Chapel Reservoir?

Mays Chapel Reservoir is owned by Baltimore City Dept of Public Works (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mays Chapel Reservoir built?

Mays Chapel Reservoir was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Mays Chapel Reservoir?

Mays Chapel Reservoir serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mays Chapel Reservoir?

Mays Chapel Reservoir has a dam height of 20 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 Mays Chapel Reservoir last inspected?

Mays Chapel Reservoir was last inspected on December 22, 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.