Gudelsky Pond Dam dam
Gudelsky Pond Dam
Gudelsky Pond Dam, also known as the University of Maryland Shady Grove Dam, is a vital structure located in Montgomery, Maryland, designed by Dewberry & Davis. Completed in 1987, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 400 feet in length, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the Piney Branch-TR river or stream. With a storage capacity of 47 acre-feet and a surface area of 1.6 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
State-regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, Gudelsky Pond Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as satisfactory in condition. Regular inspections, the last conducted in October 2021, ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being locally owned and operated, the dam's impact extends beyond the immediate vicinity, showcasing the interconnectedness of water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. With its strategic location in a shopping center and proximity to urban areas, the dam represents a critical infrastructure for protecting communities from potential flooding events.
As a significant component of the flood risk reduction strategy in the area, Gudelsky Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring water infrastructure to safeguard against environmental challenges. Its construction, oversight, and role in water resource management highlight the collaborative efforts between local government agencies, designers, and regulatory bodies to ensure the safety and resilience of communities in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Gudelsky Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 40 cfs | → |
| Difficult Run Near Great Falls | 12 cfs | → |
| Nw Branch Anacostia River Near Colesville | 3 cfs | → |
| Potomac River Near Wash | 2,300 cfs | → |
| Hawlings River Near Sandy Spring | 7 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At Sherrill Drive Washington | 82 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gudelsky Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Potomac Hills Street Fairfax County
- Rileys Lock Road Darnestown
- Clarksburg Road Germantown
- Edwards Ferry Road Montgomery County
- Ashburn Village Boulevard 20585, Lansdowne
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Frederick County
Campgrounds
- Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite
- Marsden Tract Campground
- Horsepen Branch
- Horsepen Branch Campsite
- Lake Fairfax
Track Gudelsky Pond Dam 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 Gudelsky Pond Dam
Where does the data for Gudelsky Pond Dam 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 Gudelsky Pond Dam.