Little Deer Creek Site 1 dam
Little Deer Creek Site 1
Little Deer Creek Site 1, also known as Madonna Manor Dam, is a significant structure located in Rocks State Park, Maryland. Built in 1958 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a length of 385 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet and a normal storage of 24 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Maryland Dam Safety agency and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 100 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 930 cubic feet per second. The hazard potential of the dam is considered significant, with a fair condition assessment as of February 2021. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam has not had any emergency action plans prepared or updated recently. Little Deer Creek Site 1 serves as an important flood risk mitigation measure in the area, protecting surrounding communities and infrastructure from potential water-related disasters.
Located on Cattail Branch in Harford County, Maryland, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and safeguarding against the impacts of extreme weather events. With its stone core and rock foundation, Little Deer Creek Site 1 exemplifies the collaborative efforts between local government and federal agencies in enhancing climate resilience and ensuring the safety of the community.
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 Little Deer Creek Site 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Creek At Rocks | 132 cfs | → |
| Little Falls At Blue Mount | 62 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Falls At Glencoe | 124 cfs | → |
| Little Gunpowder Falls At Laurel Brook | 26 cfs | → |
| Beetree Run At Bentley Springs | 11 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Falls Near Parkton | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Deer Creek Site 1.
Boat launches
- Spooks Hill Road Baltimore County
- Cold Cabin Park
- Dorsey Park
- Mason-Dixon Trail Lower Chanceford Township
- York Furnace
- Pequea
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Little Deer Creek Site 1 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 Little Deer Creek Site 1
Where does the data for Little Deer Creek Site 1 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 Little Deer Creek Site 1.