Many have sent in their own photos and videos wondering why we haven’t shared any visuals of the “waterfall” at Burnt Mills Local Park in Silver Spring. While we have provided information in the past, today we’ll take a closer look at the Burnt Mills Dam– visible from a busy stretch of Colesville Rd.

Located along the winding course of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, the Burnt Mills Dam stands as a silent witness to the region’s evolving relationship with water. More than a physical structure, the dam and its surroundings weave together a narrative of industrial progress, natural beauty, and recreational delight.

The name “Burnt Mills” originates from a grain mill that once stood at the site. This mill burned down before 1788, and despite being rebuilt, it eventually ceased operations in the early 1900s– yet its name endured.

In the early 20th century, recognizing the need for a reliable water supply for a growing population, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) selected the site for a state-of-the-art water filtration plant. In 1929, the Burnt Mills Dam was constructed with a distinctive hollow deck Amberson-style design, accompanied by the Robert B. Morse Filtration Plant, which provided clean drinking water for decades.

As newer, larger water treatment plants were built along the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers, the Burnt Mills facility was decommissioned in 1962. Although the machinery and pipes were removed, the dam and its two historic pump houses remained as quiet reminders of the past.

Between 1996 and 2000, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) acquired the dam and pump houses to safeguard their historical significance. Today, the Burnt Mills Dam is officially recognized as a historic site.

The surrounding area has transformed into the Burnt Mills East and West Special Parks, maintained by Montgomery Parks as tranquil green spaces away from the city’s hustle and bustle. The dam-created Burnt Mills Reservoir offers a scenic setting for a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors enjoy exploring the Northwest Branch Trail, part of the larger Rachel Carson Greenway, where walking, biking, and horseback riding are popular pastimes. Even President Theodore Roosevelt once marveled at the river’s captivating rocks and rushing water.

Fishermen are drawn to the reservoir as well, where the gentle cascade over the dam provides a peaceful backdrop while they try to catch sunfish, bass, and bluegill. The Burnt Mills Dam illustrates how a site can evolve over time– from a place for a mill to a crucial component of public health infrastructure, and now to a cherished destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs in Silver Spring.

Information courtesy of neighborsnwb.org, www.servpro.org, mncppcapps.org, Montgomeryparks.org