Maryland’s Dam Safety Program ensures all dams are designed, constructed, operated and maintained safely to prevent failures and the resulting consequences. The Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) responsibilities include conducting safety inspections of dams based on their hazard classification, evaluating downstream hazard conditions, issuing permits for new construction and repairs to existing structures; and conducting construction inspections. MDE also works with dam owners and emergency management professionals to develop and exercise an “Emergency Action Plan” for dams to be used in the event of imminent dam failure.​

What's New?

• Small Pond Approvals​
• Policy Memorandum No. 13 - Excavated Ponds
• Policy Memorandum No. 14 - ​Cutoff Trenches
• ​Policy Memorandum No. 15 - Best Practices for Dam and Small Pond Construction​
• Policy Memorandum No. 16 - Geosynthetics in Dam and Small Pond Embankments
• Policy Memorandum No. 17 - In-Kind Replacement of Spillways
• Policy Memorandum No. 18 - Repairing Known Deficiencies During Retrofits​
• Policy Memorandum No. 19 - Use of NOAA Atlas14 Rainfall Data
  
• Dam ​and Small Pond JPA Appendix​​
• Updated Emergency Action Plan Template​​
  
• Maryland Dam Safety Owners Workshop​​
  
• Maryland Dam Safety Update - December 2020
  
• Small Pond Work Group Interest Form​
  
• Frequently Asked Questions​