Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge) dam
Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge)
The Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge) in Allegany, Maryland, is a crucial piece of infrastructure designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers Washington District. Completed in 1954, this gravity dam stands at a height of 40 feet and extends for 315 feet along the Potomac River (North Branch). Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 1,467 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 248 acre-feet.
This dam, also known as the Cumberland Dam or Kelly Springfield Dam, is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the Industrial Dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Its uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 300 feet, helps manage maximum discharges of up to 83,500 cubic feet per second.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the Industrial Dam's contribution to flood risk reduction and water supply management in the region. As a gravity dam with a buttress core type, it symbolizes the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the impacts of extreme weather events. Its strategic location and design make it a key asset in the efforts to mitigate flood risks along the Potomac River, demonstrating the intersection of engineering expertise and environmental stewardship in water resource management.
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 Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wills Creek Near Cumberland | 166 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River Near Cumberland | 650 cfs | → |
| Wills Creek Below Hyndman | 57 cfs | → |
| Town Creek Near Oldtown | 21 cfs | → |
| Patterson Creek Near Headsville | 54 cfs | → |
| South Branch Potomac River Near Springfield | 175 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge).
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge)
Where does the data for Industrial Dam (Blue Bridge) 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 Low 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.