Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road) dam
Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road)
Seneca State Park Dam, also known as Clopper Lake, is a picturesque recreational spot located in Montgomery County, Maryland. Built in 1975, this earth dam stands at a height of 64 feet and stretches 580 feet in length, creating a serene 90-acre surface area for visitors to enjoy. The dam serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction and recreation, making it a vital asset in the area.
Managed by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, Seneca State Park Dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential due to its location on Long Draught Branch, the dam is classified as having a fair condition assessment as of June 2020. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor activities in the Dawsonville area.
As one of the key features in Seneca Creek State Park, visitors can explore the natural beauty of the surrounding area, participate in water-based activities, or simply relax by the peaceful waters of Clopper Lake. With its rich history, stunning views, and important role in flood risk management, Seneca State Park Dam remains a significant landmark for both locals and tourists alike.
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 Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 38 cfs | → |
| Broad Run Near Leesburg | 18 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 11 cfs | → |
| Patuxent River Near Unity | 12 cfs | → |
| Hawlings River Near Sandy Spring | 6 cfs | → |
| Bennett Creek At Park Mills | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road).
Boat launches
- Clarksburg Road Germantown
- Rileys Lock Road Darnestown
- Potomac Hills Street Fairfax County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Frederick County
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
Campgrounds
- Little Bennett Regional Park
- Little Bennett Campground
- Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
- Horsepen Branch Campsite
- Horsepen Branch
- Turner Farm
Track Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road) 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 Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road)
Where does the data for Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road) 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 Seneca State Park Dam (Seneca Creek Road).