Johnsons Pond dam
Johnsons Pond
Johnsons Pond, also known as Johnsons Lake Dam, is a gravity dam located in Salisbury, Maryland. Built in 1936 by Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this recreational dam spans 580 feet in length and stands at a height of 23 feet. It serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking, attracting visitors from near and far.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Johnsons Pond has been marked with a poor condition assessment and significant hazard potential. The dam's last inspection in January 2022 revealed the need for improvements, with a risk assessment rating it as moderate. The dam is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure public safety and water resource management.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Johnsons Pond become crucial. With its location along the North Prong of the Wicomico River, Johnsons Pond plays a role in flood control and water storage for the surrounding area. Efforts to address its poor condition and mitigate risks will be essential for preserving this historic dam and ensuring its continued function in a changing climate.
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 Johnsons Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverdam Creek Near Salisbury | 17 cfs | → |
| Manokin Branch Near Princess Anne | 1 cfs | → |
| Nassawango Creek Near Snow Hill | 4 cfs | → |
| Pocomoke River Near Willards | 12 cfs | → |
| Chicamacomico River Near Salem | 7 cfs | → |
| Birch Branch At Showell | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Johnsons Pond.
Boat launches
- Leonards Mill Pond Drive 2899, Wicomico County
- Dogwood Lane Sussex County
- Park Lane Laurel
- Shady Acres Lane 31202, Sussex County
- Chipmans Pond Road Sussex County
- Race Street Vienna
Campgrounds
- Camp Sandy Pines
- Trap Pond State Park
- Milburn Landing - Pocomoke State Park
- Soroptimist Park
- Shad Landing - Pocomoke State Park
- Bayside - Assateague National Seashore
Fishing spots
Track Johnsons Pond 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 Johnsons Pond
Where does the data for Johnsons Pond 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 Significant 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 Johnsons Pond.