Maryland DNR Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, along with other DNR officials, presented the 2021 State of the Lake address. The presentation was held in-person with a virtual attendance option and was attended by more than 50 people, including local commissioners and dignitaries. The presentation was organized by the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation. The main topics addressed were the health of the lake, sub-aquatic vegetation (SAV), invasive species, current government programs, water quality monitoring, and shoreline erosion.
Haddaway-Riccio started off the presentation highlighting the current government programs in place to help showcase the beauty of Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake, including Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s MORE Commission and the Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford’s State Park Bucket List program. Hogan’s MORE Commission – or Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission - was established to allow communities to have a voice in developing strategies and making recommendations to the governor to make sure the outdoor resources are highlighted and protected. The MORE commission is assigning ‘outdoor ambassadors’ within communities to be the voice for their specific area. Already, there have been 31 ambassadors appointed in four counties. The Lieutenant Governor’s Bucket List Program has Rutherford visiting very state park in Maryland. So far, he’s visited 52 of the 75. Another program that garners interest is the fall foliage report, which details which areas of the state are at which stage in foliage, ranging from no color to peak color to past peak. The fall foliage report boasts a subscriber list of 15,000 users and is posted to the Maryland DNR social media audience, as well. As Garrett County tends to peak before the remainder of the state, it’s a great resource to help visitors know when the best time to visit Deep Creek in the fall will be.
Through the on-going water quality monitoring project, which can be viewed on the ‘Eyes on Deep Creek’ DNR website page, Haddaway-Riccio was happy to report that Deep Creek Lake is ‘clean and clear.’ She noted that the additional water quality monitors that have been purchased by the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation and the Deep Creek Property Owners Association have helped record data in different areas of the lake for a better overall health picture.
When it came to sub-aquatic vegetation (SAV), Haddaway-Riccio said that the benefits to the lake are apparent. SAV is great for filtering and providing habitat for animals. This was a subject that came back around during the Q&A portion, with many asking where the middle ground is. While the SAV is healthy for the lake, homeowners are not permitted to cut the SAV or use pesticide around their docks or swimming areas. The tall grasses can impede swimming and even get caught in boat propellors. Homeowners are permitted to ‘rake’ the SAV around their dock or contact DNR to have mats installed. The trouble with the mats, of course, is that it prevents the SAV from growing (which isn’t providing a benefit to the lake), and the mats can come undone during the summer season and float to the surface.
Invasive species, and the prevention of their spreading into Deep Creek Lake, has been a topic of conversation for the last few years. Haddaway-Riccio stated that zebra mussels, one of the most invasive and harmful, have been found in Pittsburgh lakes and in nearby Cheat Lake in Morgantown, WV. DNR conducts voluntary boat inspections at their boat launch. In 2020, 10 vessels were found to have zebra mussels hidden on them. DNR strongly urges all users who transport boats to careful wash and check underneath their boat for aquatic hitchhikers. The inspection at the boat launch takes roughly 2 minutes, and more than 6,000 boats were checked last year.
Another topic that's been in conversation the last few years is the prospect of dredging the sediment impaired coves of Deep Creek Lake. In a survey done, 10 coves were highlighted as 'impaired.' Arrowhead Cove was chosen to be the pilot project cove, as it's easy to access and smaller than others. The county was initially given $375,000 of grant money, and $2.2M has been allocated as additional funds for this project. Permitting for this pilot project is about 60% completed.
Shoreline Erosion was also a hot topic for the evening and many homeowners around Deep Creek Lake. Shoreline erosion is exasperated by boats driving too close to shore, especially boats that create large wakes made for surfing or wakeboarding. The growing popularity of wake surfing and wake boats has made this a large issue in other states and lakes. A tactic to prevent shoreline erosion is to construct a seawall. DNR must be consulted for construction and will approve plans and permits for the project. Currently, the state is offering $10,000 grants for homeowners who complete their seawall and apply for the permit. Interested homeowners should contact DNR to be added to the list, and can apply for the grant after completion.
Water levels in the lake was addressed after a question from the audience. Maryland DNR and Brookfield Power, the company that operates the dam, work together with their 'band rules' to control the level of the lake. Brookfield operates within the suggestions offered by DNR. The lack of rain in late summer plays a big part in the lower lake levels in August and September.
During the Q&A portion of the meeting, one of the biggest concerns from local officials and homeowners is the lack of funding and attention from the state. Brian O'Brien addressed this issue, adding that the local foundations and citizens were 'stewards of a state owned asset' and that funding for Deep Creek Lake should be a higher priority. While Haddaway-Riccio was sympathetic, she shared that the reality of the situation is that Deep Creek Lake is sharing state funding with all other state owned or managed waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Even with the State Lakes Protection and Restoration and Maryland Waterway Improvement funds, the money is still being divided. As Maryland's largest freshwater lake, and one of the largest tourist attractions in the state and surrounding regions, it's understandable why the homeowners and stakeholders in our community feel that Deep Creek Lake should be given more attention and funding from the state, given that the state owns the lake and is responsible for the health and management.
You can rewatch the State of the Lake Address soon on Deep Creek Watershed Foundation's website.
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