Waiting Springs Swm Pond dam
Waiting Springs Swm Pond
Waiting Springs Swm Pond, located in Columbia, Maryland, is a local government-owned flood risk reduction structure built in 1971. With a dam height of 12 feet and a storage capacity of 8.32 acre-feet, this earth dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the Little Patuxent River-TR, protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. The pond covers a surface area of 0.1 acres and has a drainage area of 0.02 square miles, indicating its importance in the local water resource management system.
Managed by the Maryland Dam Safety agency, Waiting Springs Swm Pond undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. The dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, but its condition assessment in 2018 deemed it to be satisfactory. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the structure was last revised in April 2021, highlighting the commitment to emergency preparedness and response in case of any unforeseen events. With its strategic location and vital role in flood risk reduction, Waiting Springs Swm Pond serves as a key component of the water resource infrastructure in Howard County, Maryland.
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 Waiting Springs Swm Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Patuxent River At Guilford | 122 cfs | → |
| Little Patuxent River At Savage | 266 cfs | → |
| Patuxent Riv Near Laurel | 19 cfs | → |
| East Branch Herbert Run At Arbutus | 9 cfs | → |
| Patapsco River At Hollofield | 115 cfs | → |
| Dead Run At Franklintown | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waiting Springs Swm Pond.
Boat launches
- Lightspun Lane 5665, Long Reach
- Supplee Launch
- 99 Drop Howard County
- Joseph Avenue Baltimore
- Liberty Road Carroll County
- Lakeview Avenue Carroll County
Campgrounds
Track Waiting Springs Swm Pond 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 Waiting Springs Swm Pond
Where does the data for Waiting Springs Swm Pond 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 Waiting Springs Swm Pond.