Seneca Meadows Swm Dam (Seneca Meadows Pkwy) dam
Seneca Meadows Swm Dam (Seneca Meadows Pkwy)
Located in Germantown, Maryland, the Seneca Meadows Swm Dam, also known as Marriott Pond #4, was completed in 1994 by Rodgers & Associates, Inc. This private earth dam on Seneca Creek stands at a height of 16.9 feet and has a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this dam is flood risk reduction, serving to protect the surrounding area from potential inundation during heavy rainfall events.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the Seneca Meadows Swm Dam is regularly inspected by Maryland Dam Safety officials to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 52 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 619 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area and reducing the risk of flooding for nearby residents.
Overall, the Seneca Meadows Swm Dam stands as a vital infrastructure asset in Montgomery County, Maryland, providing flood protection for the community and serving as a key component of the local water resource management system. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the engineering behind this structure and its role in safeguarding against potential flooding events in the region.
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 Meadows Swm Dam (Seneca Meadows Pkwy) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seneca Creek At Dawsonville | 192 cfs | → |
| Bennett Creek At Park Mills | 283 cfs | → |
| Patuxent River Near Unity | 120 cfs | → |
| Cattail Creek Near Glenwood | 183 cfs | → |
| Hawlings River Near Sandy Spring | 951 cfs | → |
| Patuxent River Below Brighton Dam Near Brighton | 86 cfs | → |
About Seneca Meadows Swm Dam (Seneca Meadows Pkwy)
Where does the data for Seneca Meadows Swm Dam (Seneca Meadows Pkwy) 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.