Smithsburg Reservoir dam
Smithsburg Reservoir
Smithsburg Reservoir, located in Cavetown, Maryland, is a crucial water resource managed by the local government for water supply purposes. Built in 1881, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 2000 feet, with a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet. The reservoir covers 6.6 surface acres and serves a drainage area of 1.9 square miles, with a normal storage level of 61 acre-feet.
Despite its age, Smithsburg Reservoir is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. The dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of April 2021. Although there is no spillway, the reservoir is equipped with valve outlet gates for water management. In terms of risk assessment, it is considered to have a high risk level of 2, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness.
Water and climate enthusiasts interested in Smithsburg Reservoir will find it a fascinating example of historical water infrastructure in Maryland. Its location on Beaver Creek-OS, association with the Baltimore District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the oversight by state regulatory agencies make it a valuable case study for understanding the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. With its rich history, unique design features, and ongoing risk management measures, Smithsburg Reservoir offers a compelling insight into the challenges and opportunities of safeguarding water resources 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 Smithsburg Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Antietam Creek Near Waynesboro | 39 cfs | → |
| Conococheague Creek At Fairview | 174 cfs | → |
| Marsh Run At Grimes | 6 cfs | → |
| Catoctin Creek Near Middletown | 15 cfs | → |
| Antietam Creek Near Sharpsburg | 129 cfs | → |
| Monocacy River At Monocacy Blvd At Frederick | 156 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smithsburg Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Catoctin Hollow Road 13916, Frederick County
- Big Red Trail Mount Lena
- Taylors Landing
- Snyders Landing Road 17045, Sharpsburg
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Washington County
- Frederick
Campgrounds
- Owens Creek - Catoctin Mountain National Park
- Camp Round Meadow
- Owens Creek Campground
- Pogo Memorial Campground
- Poplar Grove Ii Group Camping Area
- Adirondack Shelters Camping Area
Fishing spots
- Hunting Creek Lake
- Little Owens Creek
- Potomac River Reservoir
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
- Culler Lake
- Blairs Valley Lake
Track Smithsburg Reservoir 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 Smithsburg Reservoir
Where does the data for Smithsburg Reservoir 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 Smithsburg Reservoir.