Volvo Hagerstown Swm dam
Volvo Hagerstown Swm
Volvo Hagerstown Swm is a private flood risk reduction structure located in Kaplan University, Hagerstown, Maryland. Built in 1961, this earth dam stands at 6.5 feet high with a hydraulic height of 10 feet, designed to mitigate flooding along the Antietam Creek-TR. Despite its critical purpose, the dam's condition assessment is deemed poor, with a significant hazard potential, prompting concerns over its structural integrity.
The dam's storage capacity is 48 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 0.41 square miles. With a spillway type of uncontrolled and needle outlet gates, the structure has a surface area of 0.27 acres. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's maintenance and inspection frequency is crucial, with the last assessment conducted in September 2021. The dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are areas that require attention to ensure the safety and functionality of Volvo Hagerstown Swm for flood risk reduction.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Volvo Hagerstown Swm presents a case study in the maintenance and management of aging flood control infrastructure. With a history dating back to the 1960s, this earth dam in Maryland faces challenges in ensuring its continued effectiveness in mitigating flood risks along the Antietam Creek-TR. The dam's poor condition assessment and significant hazard potential underscore the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to address potential safety concerns and protect surrounding communities from flooding events. Continued monitoring and investment in risk management measures are crucial to safeguarding the dam's functionality and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions and increasing water resource challenges.
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 Volvo Hagerstown Swm -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conococheague Creek At Fairview | 171 cfs | → |
| Antietam Creek Near Waynesboro | 39 cfs | → |
| Marsh Run At Grimes | 6 cfs | → |
| Antietam Creek Near Sharpsburg | 129 cfs | → |
| Potomac River At Shepherdstown | 1,860 cfs | → |
| Catoctin Creek Near Middletown | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Volvo Hagerstown Swm.
Boat launches
- Big Red Trail Mount Lena
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Taylors Landing
- Starliper Road Washington County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Washington County
Campgrounds
- Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park
- Jordan Junction Campsite
- Jordan Junction Hiker Biker Campsite
- Pogo Memorial Campground
- Greenbrier State Park
- Cumberland Valley Hiker Biker Campsite
Fishing spots
- Blairs Valley Lake
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
- Potomac River Reservoir
- Hunting Creek Lake
- Little Owens Creek
- Melagos Fising Spot
Track Volvo Hagerstown Swm 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 Volvo Hagerstown Swm
Where does the data for Volvo Hagerstown Swm 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 Volvo Hagerstown Swm.