St Marys River Watershed Site 1 dam
St Marys River Watershed Site 1
Located in St. Mary's County, Maryland, St Marys River Watershed Site 1, also known as St Marys River State Park Dam, is a crucial flood risk reduction structure designed by Allan Stahl of the USDA NRCS. Completed in 1975, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 1670 feet, serving as a vital component in managing water flow along the Western Branch of the St. Marys River.
With a normal storage capacity of 3200 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 20576 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a significant role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding while also providing recreational opportunities for the local community. However, recent assessments have indicated a poor condition of the dam, with a high hazard potential and a moderate risk level, making regular inspections and maintenance crucial for ensuring its continued effectiveness.
In addition to flood risk reduction, St Marys River Watershed Site 1 is also regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, reflecting the state's commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of its water infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and proper management of dams like this one become increasingly important in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the threats of extreme weather events and rising water levels.
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 St Marys River Watershed Site 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St Marys River At Great Mills | 2 cfs | → |
| St Clement Creek Near Clements | 1 cfs | → |
| Zekiah Swamp Run Near Newtown | 3 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek Near Tappahannock | 12 cfs | → |
| Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey | 2 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek At Piscataway | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near St Marys River Watershed Site 1.
Track St Marys River Watershed Site 1 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 St Marys River Watershed Site 1
Where does the data for St Marys River Watershed Site 1 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 High 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 St Marys River Watershed Site 1.