Prettyboy Dam dam
Prettyboy Dam
Prettyboy Dam, located in Monkton, Maryland, stands as a testament to innovative engineering and the vital role of water resource management. This gravity dam, completed in 1936, serves as a crucial water supply source for the region, with a storage capacity of 90,100 acre-feet and a normal storage of 60,100 acre-feet. The dam's construction on rock foundations and buttress core types highlight its robust design, standing at a height of 155 feet and stretching 692 feet in length.
The Gunpowder Falls, the river it impounds, benefits not only from the dam's water supply function but also offers recreational opportunities to visitors. The dam's spillway, with a width of 274 feet, ensures controlled water release during periods of high discharge. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's fair condition assessment and regular inspections by the Maryland Dam Safety agency ensure its continued safe operation. The dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, emphasizing the importance of ongoing risk management measures to safeguard the community and environment.
With its rich history, strategic location, and significant impact on water resources and climate, Prettyboy Dam serves as a symbol of sustainable water management practices. Its role in supporting local government initiatives and regulations underscores the collaborative efforts needed to protect and preserve our precious water resources for future generations. As a focal point for both water supply and recreation, Prettyboy Dam stands as a shining example of responsible dam engineering and management in the face of evolving climate 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 Prettyboy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gunpowder Falls Near Parkton | 28 cfs | → |
| Georges Run Near Beckleysville | 19 cfs | → |
| Beetree Run At Bentley Springs | 11 cfs | → |
| Grave Run Near Beckleysville | 8 cfs | → |
| Little Falls At Blue Mount | 62 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Falls At Glencoe | 124 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prettyboy Dam.
Boat launches
- Spooks Hill Road Baltimore County
- Codorus State Park Main Launch
- Marina Area, Codorus State Park
- Codorus State Park Wonder Cove
- Black Rock Flats Boat Launch
- Codorus State Park Smith Station Road
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Prettyboy 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 Prettyboy Dam
Where does the data for Prettyboy 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 Prettyboy Dam.