Western Maryland 4h Center dam
Western Maryland 4h Center
Located in Garrett, Maryland, the Western Maryland 4H Center, also known as Pleasant Valley Run Dam, is a state-owned recreational facility that was completed in 1937 by the USDA Land Utilz.Div (WPA, CCC). Situated on Pleasant Valley Run, this earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and stretches for 598 feet, offering a serene surface area of 20 acres for visitors to enjoy. With a storage capacity of 270 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.9 square miles, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a low hazard potential for the surrounding area.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the Western Maryland 4H Center is currently assessed to be in poor condition, prompting the Maryland Dam Safety regulatory agency to conduct regular inspections to assess its structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, there is a need for risk management measures to ensure the safety of the dam and the surrounding community. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 52 feet, and is equipped with slide (sluice gate) outlet gates for water flow control.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Western Maryland 4H Center offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of recreational amenities and dam infrastructure. As efforts are made to improve the condition of the dam and enhance its safety measures, there is a chance for stakeholders to engage in discussions around sustainable water management practices and the role of dams in supporting local ecosystems. With its picturesque location and historical significance, the Western Maryland 4H Center serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing human recreation with environmental conservation in water resource management.
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 Western Maryland 4h Center -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crabtree Creek Near Swanton | 154 cfs | → |
| Savage River Near Barton | 16 cfs | → |
| Savage Riv Bl Savage Riv Dam Near Bloomington | 58 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Friendsville | 23 cfs | → |
| Youghiogheny River At Friendsville | 190 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Barnum | 244 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Western Maryland 4h Center.
Boat launches
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Mill Run Road Garrett County
- Blue Trail Garrett County
- South Access`
- North Access
- Somerfield North Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Deep Creek Lake State Park
- Big Run State Park
- Savage River State Forest Dispersed
- New Germany State Park
- New Germany State Park Campground
- Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake
Fishing spots
- Savage River Reservoir
- Deep Creek Lake
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Broadford Lake
- Georges Creek
- Dans Mountain Pond
Paddle runs
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- State Park Bridge To North Fork
- Perennial Stream At Forks To Dolly Sods Wilderness Boundary
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Jake Hill Road Bridge To Shreve Store
Track Western Maryland 4h Center 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 Western Maryland 4h Center
Where does the data for Western Maryland 4h Center 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 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 Western Maryland 4h Center.