Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) dam
Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)
Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way), also known as Northampton Dam, is a picturesque reservoir located in Kettering/Watkins Reg. Park in Prince George's County, Maryland. Built in 1971 by Greenhorne and O'Mara, this local government-owned earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a dam height of 38 feet and a length of 600 feet, the lake has a storage capacity of 520 acre-feet and a surface area of 19 acres, providing ample space for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Managed by the Maryland Dam Safety regulatory agency, Lake Arbor poses a high hazard potential due to its proximity to the Western Branch-TR river/stream. Despite its fair structural condition, regular inspections are conducted to ensure public safety and prevent potential risks. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 18 feet, can discharge a maximum of 667 cubic feet per second in case of emergency. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk (3 out of 5), the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plans are being continuously evaluated and updated to meet safety guidelines and protect the surrounding community.
Overall, Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) stands as a vital water resource in Maryland, offering both recreational opportunities and essential flood control functions. Its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, while its regulated operation and maintenance ensure the safety of the local residents. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams like Lake Arbor becomes increasingly crucial in safeguarding the environment and enhancing resilience against natural disasters.
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 Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Western Branch At Upper Marlboro | 12 cfs | → |
| Watts Branch At Washington | 1 cfs | → |
| Patuxent River Near Bowie | 107 cfs | → |
| North East Branch Anacostia River At Riverdale | 17 cfs | → |
| Nw Branch Anacostia River Near Hyattsville | 10 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At Sherrill Drive Washington | 82 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way).
Track Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) 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 Arbor (Lake Arbor Way)
Where does the data for Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way) 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 Lake Arbor (Lake Arbor Way).