Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17 dam
Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17
Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17, located in Suitland, Maryland, was completed in 1992 and is owned by the local government. Designed by Joyce Engineering, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and has a length of 450 feet, providing flood risk reduction for the Henson Creek-TR river/stream. With a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2428.3 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and reducing the risk of flooding in the area.
Although the dam is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency and undergoes regular inspections, its condition assessment in 2021 was deemed unsatisfactory, with a significant hazard potential. Despite this, the risk assessment is moderate (3), indicating the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. With a spillway width of 105 feet and an unsatisfactory condition, the dam serves as a reminder of the critical role of infrastructure in water resource management and climate resilience.
As a key component in the flood risk reduction strategy for the region, Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17 highlights the intersection of engineering, regulatory oversight, and emergency preparedness in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events. With the potential for significant hazard, ongoing maintenance and monitoring are essential to ensure the dam's effectiveness in protecting lives and property from the threat of flooding. This case underscores the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water resources and public safety in the face of an uncertain future.
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 Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Watts Branch At Washington | 1 cfs | → |
| Nw Branch Anacostia River Near Hyattsville | 10 cfs | → |
| North East Branch Anacostia River At Riverdale | 18 cfs | → |
| Western Branch At Upper Marlboro | 14 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Run At Alexandria | 3 cfs | → |
| Piscataway Creek At Piscataway | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17.
Boat launches
- Anacostia Park Boat Ramp
- Gravelly Point Boat Ramp
- Wayne F Anderson Bikeway Alexandria
- Marlboro Road 1570, Anne Arundel County
- Wharf Road Accokeek
- Critical Area Driving Tour Prince George's County
Campgrounds
Track Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17 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 Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17
Where does the data for Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17 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 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 Henson Creek Flood Control Dam #17.