Shellman Farm Dam

Chester River-TR· Kent, Maryland· Built 1979· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Shellman Farm Dam is classified as low hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 4.6% in MD)
Dam Length350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage64 acre-ft
Normal Storage9 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge2,448 cfs
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
Year Modified2005
NID IDMD00382

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 1, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Jo Anne Shellman Hutchinson

Private

Nearby Dams

Foreman Branch Dam

Queen Anne's, MD

Low Hazard 7 ft

Urieville Dam (Augustine Herman Hwy)

Kent, MD

Low Hazard 17 ft

Unicorn Branch Dam

Queen Anne's, MD

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Owings Farm Pond

Queen Anne's, MD

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Boxers Rest Farm Pond

Queen Anne's, MD

Low Hazard 8 ft

Riley Mill Pond

Kent, MD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Riley Mill Dam - Lower Pond

Kent, MD

Low Hazard 14 ft

Hexton Farms

Cecil, MD

Low Hazard 15 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Shellman Farm Dam?

Shellman Farm 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 Shellman Farm Dam?

Shellman Farm Dam is owned by Jo Anne Shellman Hutchinson (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Shellman Farm Dam built?

Shellman Farm Dam was completed in 1979, making it 47 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Shellman Farm Dam?

Shellman Farm 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 Shellman Farm Dam last inspected?

Shellman Farm Dam was last inspected on April 1, 2022. 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.