Norris Dam

St. Marys River-TR· St. Mary's, Maryland· Built 1990· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Norris Dam is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1990 and is 36 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 4.6% in MD)
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage84 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1990 (36 years old)
Year Modified1990
NID IDMD00523

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 1, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Roy L. Norris

Private

Nearby Dams

Wildewood Community Dam

St. Mary's, MD

Low Hazard 30 ft

St Marys River Watershed Site 1

St. Mary's, MD

High Hazard 38 ft

Holton Pond Dam

St. Mary's, MD

Low Hazard 13 ft

Tower Hill Community Pond Dam (Tower Hill Road)

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Significant Hazard 18 ft

Chesapeake Ranch Estates Dam (Chisolm Trail)

Calvert, MD

High Hazard 46 ft

Cove Point Lng Main Dam

Calvert, MD

Significant Hazard 74 ft

Cove Point Lng Secondary Dam

Calvert, MD

Significant Hazard 35 ft

Clair Peake Dam (Md 235)

St. Mary's, MD

Low Hazard 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Norris Dam?

Norris Dam 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 Norris Dam?

Norris Dam is owned by Roy L. Norris (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Norris Dam built?

Norris Dam was completed in 1990, making it 36 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 Norris Dam?

Norris Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, 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 Norris Dam?

Norris Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Norris Dam last inspected?

Norris Dam was last inspected on October 1, 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.