Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road) dam
Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road)
Galestown Millpond, located on Galestown-Reliance Road in Dorchester County, Maryland, is a man-made reservoir built in 1972 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 9 feet and stretching 500 feet in length, holds back Gales Creek to create a surface area of 44.4 acres and a storage capacity of 228 acre-feet. Despite its modest size, the reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting irrigation activities in the region while also providing a serene setting for water-based recreational activities.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, Galestown Millpond has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam underwent structural modifications in 2008 to ensure its continued safe operation, with regular inspections conducted every five years to monitor its condition. With a spillway width of 19 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 711 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle excess water flow during heavy rainfall events, minimizing the risk of flooding downstream.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Galestown Millpond serves as a valuable case study in sustainable water management and recreational development. By balancing the needs of irrigation, recreation, and dam safety, this reservoir exemplifies the importance of responsible stewardship of water resources in the face of changing environmental conditions. With its tranquil waters and ecological significance, Galestown Millpond stands as a reminder of the interconnectedness of water, climate, and human activities in shaping our landscapes.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chicamacomico River Near Salem | 7 cfs | → |
| Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville | 38 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Near Salisbury | 17 cfs | → |
| Marshyhope Creek Near Adamsville | 22 cfs | → |
| Millsboro Pond Outlet At Millsboro | 46 cfs | → |
| Pocomoke River Near Willards | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road).
Track Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road) in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road)
Where does the data for Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road) come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Galestown Millpond (Galestown-Reliance Road).