Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley) dam
Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley)
Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley) is a vital water resource structure in Maryland, owned by the local government and regulated by the MD Dam Safety agency. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Wheatley Run. With a storage capacity of 1,850 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.7 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Gilbert Run Dam 2 remains a key asset for flood risk reduction and recreational activities in the area. The dam has a spillway width of 110 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 3,190 cubic feet per second. The structure has undergone modifications in 1992 to reinforce its foundation, ensuring its continued functionality and resilience. Regular inspections and enforcement measures by the state regulatory agency help to maintain the dam's safety standards and protect the surrounding communities from potential hazards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley) a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to balance flood risk reduction with recreational opportunities. Located in Charles County, Maryland, this earth dam on the Wheatley Run showcases the importance of effective water management and regulatory oversight in safeguarding communities against natural disasters. Despite its challenges, the dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to ensure the resilience and safety of water resource structures in the face of changing environmental 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 Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Zekiah Swamp Run Near Newtown | 3 cfs | → |
| St Clement Creek Near Clements | 1 cfs | → |
| Mattawoman Creek Near Pomonkey | 1 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek At Piscataway | 3 cfs | → |
| Western Branch At Upper Marlboro | 14 cfs | → |
| St Marys River At Great Mills | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley).
Boat launches
- Gilbert Run Boat Ramp
- Hallowing Point Road 6935, Calvert County
- Charles County
- Magruders Ferry Road 17901, Brandywine
- Friendship Landing Road 4701, Charles County
- Paul Ellis Landing
Campgrounds
- Cedarville State Forest
- Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
- Smallwood State Park
- Smallwood State Park Youth Group Campsite
- Selby's Landing
- Andrews Afb Military
Fishing spots
Track Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley) 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 Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley)
Where does the data for Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley) 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 Gilbert Run Dam 2 (Wheatley).