Waiting Springs Swm Pond

Little Patuxent River-TR· Howard, Maryland· Built 1971· Earth· 12 ft tall
Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Waiting Springs Swm Pond is classified as significant hazard in Maryland. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 10.3% in MD)
Dam Length285 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8 acre-ft
Normal Storage1 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge461 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDMD00578

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: May 8, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MD Dam Safety

Ownership

Howard County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Waiting Springs Swm Pond?

Waiting Springs Swm Pond 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 Waiting Springs Swm Pond?

Waiting Springs Swm Pond is owned by Howard County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Waiting Springs Swm Pond built?

Waiting Springs Swm Pond was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Waiting Springs Swm Pond?

Waiting Springs Swm Pond serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Waiting Springs Swm Pond?

Waiting Springs Swm Pond has a dam height of 12 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 Waiting Springs Swm Pond last inspected?

Waiting Springs Swm Pond was last inspected on May 8, 2019. 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.