Lake Louise dam
Lake Louise
Lake Louise, located in the Savage River State Forest in Maryland, is a picturesque rockfill dam that was completed in 1930 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a length of 355 feet, creating a storage capacity of 389 acre-feet and a surface area of 30.2 acres. The dam is situated on Puzzley Run and is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite its scenic beauty, Lake Louise poses a significant hazard potential and has been assessed as in poor condition, prompting a moderate risk level. The dam's condition was last assessed in April 2021, with inspections conducted every three years. In 2001, both hydraulic and structural modifications were carried out to enhance its safety. With an uncontrolled spillway and a maximum discharge of 532 cubic feet per second, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan are crucial aspects to be monitored and updated regularly.
Lake Louise serves as a vital recreational resource in Garrett County, Maryland, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. As a privately owned structure, its maintenance and upkeep are essential to ensure public safety and enjoyment. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering and environmental considerations that go into managing this dam within the pristine surroundings of the Savage River State Forest.
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 Louise -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Casselman River At Grantsville | 195 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Friendsville | 175 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Friendsville | 217 cfs | → |
| Laurel Hill Creek At Ursina | 268 cfs | → |
| Savage River Near Barton | 120 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Youghiogheny River Dam | 542 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Louise.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Lake Louise
Where does the data for Lake Louise 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 below 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.
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.