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Hampstead to restore Roberts Field stormwater pond after state labels it a 'significant hazard dam'
Summary
Town staff said the Roberts Field pond is classified as a significant hazard dam and must be restored to meet MDE and EPA water quality and safety requirements; construction is slated for fall and the county will oversee the project.
HAMPSTEAD, Md. — Hampstead officials told the Town Council on May 20 that the Roberts Field stormwater management pond will undergo a major restoration because the Maryland Department of the Environment has classified the pond as a "significant hazard dam."
Town staff said that classification means the town must monitor the dam during extreme weather events, follow an emergency action plan and meet other regulatory requirements; if the embankment were to fail, homes and people downstream could be affected. The project is the first of four stormwater work items planned in the Roberts Field development over the next several years.
"First, the Roberts Field Pond is currently classified as a significant hazard dam by the Maryland Department of the Environment. That means if the embankment were to fail, homes and people would be at risk of being impacted," a town manager said during the meeting.
Town staff said the pond also receives a high volume of stormwater runoff that does not meet current design standards for water‑quality protection, and that downstream waterways have been designated as impaired for certain pollutants. Because of those design and water‑quality issues, the town said it is required by the EPA and MDE to restore surface waters and bring the facility into compliance.
Carroll County—s Bureau of Research Management will oversee the restoration, the town said. Officials said they are discussing a public town hall with the county to explain the scope of work and anticipated impacts to residents; staff said they hope to schedule that meeting soon. Construction is slated to start in the fall, and the town said it will provide additional information as design and permitting progress.
The town noted there are regulatory fees and potential fines associated with significant hazard dams if monitoring and maintenance requirements are not met. Town staff emphasized outreach and a forthcoming public meeting to inform residents about the project timeline and what to expect during construction.
