Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) dam
Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street)
Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) in Tobytown, Maryland, is a local government-owned earth dam designed by Mills, Petticord & Mills and completed in 1967 for the primary purpose of recreation. This picturesque dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a length of 825 feet, creating a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet. With a surface area of 10.5 acres and a drainage area of 0.4 square miles, the dam serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy water-based activities in the Muddy Branch-TR river system.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 10 feet, is uncontrolled, and the structure is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in June 2018. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is subject to regular inspections every three years to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) offers a serene setting for recreation while also serving as a vital water resource in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) presents an intriguing example of human-made infrastructure harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape. As a key component of the local water management system, this dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to flood control and water storage in the area. With its stone core and rock foundation, the dam exemplifies engineering ingenuity in balancing human needs with environmental considerations. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding the design, maintenance, and regulation of dams like Lake Nirvana Dam becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving climatic conditions.
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 Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 40 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 12 cfs | → |
| Broad Run Near Leesburg | 21 cfs | → |
| Nw Branch Anacostia River Near Colesville | 3 cfs | → |
| Hawlings River Near Sandy Spring | 7 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 2,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street).
Boat launches
- Rileys Lock Road Darnestown
- Clarksburg Road Germantown
- Potomac Hills Street Fairfax County
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Frederick County
Campgrounds
- Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
- Horsepen Branch Campsite
- Horsepen Branch
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite
- Little Bennett Regional Park
- Marsden Tract Campground
Track Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) 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 Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street)
Where does the data for Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street) 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 Lake Nirvana Dam (Main Street).