Mt. Soma Reservoir

Winters Run-OS· Harford, Maryland· Built 2018· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Mt. Soma Reservoir is classified as high hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 2018 and is 8 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 61 ft (taller than 94% in MD)
Dam Length2,025 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage378 acre-ft
Normal Storage288 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge48 cfs
Year Completed2018 (8 years old)
Year Modified2018
NID IDMD00586

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: September 24, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Maryland American Water Co

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mt. Soma Reservoir?

Mt. Soma 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 Mt. Soma Reservoir?

Mt. Soma Reservoir is owned by Maryland American Water Co (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mt. Soma Reservoir built?

Mt. Soma Reservoir was completed in 2018, making it 8 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 Mt. Soma Reservoir?

Mt. Soma 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 Mt. Soma Reservoir?

Mt. Soma Reservoir has a dam height of 61 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 Mt. Soma Reservoir last inspected?

Mt. Soma Reservoir was last inspected on September 24, 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.