Pearce Creek Disposal Area dam
Pearce Creek Disposal Area
Pearce Creek Disposal Area, also known as Stemmers Run Managed Hunting Area, is a federal-owned site located in Cecil, Maryland. Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers-Philadelphia District, this Earth-type dam was completed in 1968 and stands at a height of 40 feet, with a length of 16,000 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 9,000 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of controlling water flow in the offstream location.
With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Pearce Creek Disposal Area is a critical piece of infrastructure that requires regular inspection and maintenance. While the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," the dam has been subject to modifications in 2017. The site also features a controlled spillway and flap gates for water discharge management.
Despite being non-jurisdictional at the state level, Pearce Creek Disposal Area is permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state of Maryland. The dam's location in Crystal Beach, along with its significant storage capacity and risk profile, underscores its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As a focal point for federal oversight and operational responsibilities, this site plays a crucial role in safeguarding surrounding communities and ecosystems from potential flooding events.
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 Pearce Creek Disposal Area -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Creek Near Kennedyville | 2 cfs | → |
| Chesterville Branch Near Crumpton | 1 cfs | → |
| Silver Lake Tributary At Middletown | 1 cfs | → |
| Unicorn Branch Near Millington | 15 cfs | → |
| Deer Creek Near Darlington | 91 cfs | → |
| Otter Point Creek Near Edgewood | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pearce Creek Disposal Area.
Boat launches
- Port Herman Drive 92, Cecil County
- Fredericktown Boat Ramp
- Buckingham Road 9500, Kent County
- Kennard Avenue Edgewood
- Skippers Point Circle 1614, Edgewood
- Stave Landing Road New Castle County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Pearce Creek Disposal Area 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 Pearce Creek Disposal Area
Where does the data for Pearce Creek Disposal Area 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 Pearce Creek Disposal Area.