The Jones Falls watershed encompasses 40 square miles including rural segments of Baltimore County at its upper reaches. The headwaters of the Jones Falls begin in Greenspring Valley and the stream meanders east through several farms, country clubs, and private schools, until it reaches Lake Roland. At Lake Roland the river merges with the eastern tributaries and then continues southward over the dam and through Baltimore City. It finally emerges from a tunnel in Baltimore City’s Inner Harbor. More than 200,000 residents live in the Jones Falls watershed, 67,000 of whom live in the County.
This watershed is divided by the County’s urban rural demarcation line (URDL) with rural countryside at the headwaters to the west and highly urbanized areas to the east. The URDL separates areas in the County that receive public water and sewer infrastructure, with those that rely on private well and septic systems. Areas inside the URDL can accommodate development, including employment, retail, and residences while the areas outside are reserved for agricultural, natural resource protection and low density rural residential development.
Nearly 2/3 of this watershed is located in rural Baltimore County, which is predominantly cropland and low-density development outside the URDL. The most heavily developed areas are in the eastern and southern portions of the watershed where nearly 1/3 of the land area is covered by impervious surfaces such as parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways.
This watershed offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. From the rural headwaters down to Lake Roland the water quality in the Jones Falls is exceptionally good and supports a healthy, self-sustaining brown trout population. Lake Roland features many paths and trails for hiking, birding and biking. It is home to many private and public golf courses and country clubs and several of the areas well known medical and educational institutions including Towson State University, Villa Julie College, Sheppard Pratt, St Joseph’s Hospital and GBMC.
The Jones Falls Watershed Management Plan was completed in January 1997. The executive summary includes tables of land use, water quality problems, and a ranking of water quality and habitat issues. A list of source based restoration and control strategies and stream based strategies with a summary of costs to implement. The executive summary (PDF) is available for download from this web site.
Read the Roland Run at Greenspring Stream Assessment and Restoration Concept Report. This study evaluates the existing stream conditions and develops stream and watershed restoration concepts for Roland Run and selected tributaries.
To participate in watershed activities contact your local watershed association. For the Jones Falls watershed contact the Jones Falls Watershed Association.
Watershed Management Program
Phone: 410-887-5683
Fax: 410-887-3510
E-mail: watersheds@baltimorecountymd.gov
Revised October 18, 2007
Jones Falls Watershed
Courthouse 