Westminster, MD, Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Carroll County Department of Planning and Land Management in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that NRCS has authorized federal assistance for installing works of improvement to rehabilitate Piney Run Watershed Dam located in Sykesville, Maryland. The authorization for this federal assistance falls under the authority of the Watershed Protections and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub. L. 83-566 and 16 U.S.C. 1001, et seq.).

The 74-foot-tall earthen dam, finished in 1974, provides for important flood control and public recreation while also providing for potential water supply. Due to the size and associated risk, Piney Run Dam is classified by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Dam Safety as “High Hazard” – meaning that the county and MDE take extra precautions to ensure it is inspected annually and well-maintained.

Rehabilitation will ensure that Piney Run Dam meets all current NRCS and MDE Dam Safety criteria for a “high” hazard potential dam and continues to maintain the current level of flood damage protection.

As funds are appropriated for this project, they will be allocated in accordance with the terms, conditions, and stipulations included in the final watershed plan’s environmental assessment on the Rehabilitation of Piney Run Watershed Dam.

For access to the final watershed plan, please visit Carroll County Planning and Land Management website.