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| The Liberty Reservoir watershed is located along the western border of Baltimore County. |
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| The Liberty Reservoir watershed is primarily located in Carroll County. |
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| This phots shows the Liberty Reservoir dam. |
The Liberty Reservoir watershed is located in western Baltimore County and eastern Carroll County. The North Branch of the Patapsco River is the primary tributary that feeds the reservoir. Nearly half of the Baltimore County portion of the watershed is forested with large forest blocks in the vicinity of the reservoir.
The 9,200-acre Liberty Reservoir tract is owned by the City of Baltimore and is managed to protect the reservoir. The area is open to hiking, rowing or paddle boating, bird watching, horseback riding and nature photography year-round, and for archery hunting during a regulated season. The reservoir is also managed for warm, cool, and cold water fish species and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Baltimore City owns the reservoir system and offers several recreational opportunities. A Boating and Fishing Guide is available at Baltimore City's web site along with other information at their Recreation at Reservoirs link.
The watershed is home to the Liberty Dam that was completed in 1954. Water from the reservoir flows by gravity through a 12.7-mile long, 10-foot diameter tunnel to the Ashburton Water Filtration Plant for treatment in Baltimore City.
The Liberty Reservoir watershed is also home to the community of Reisterstown and to the Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area comprised of 1,900 acres of serpentine barren – the largest serpentine barren in the state, and one of the largest on the east coast. Soldiers Delight also boasts over 39 rare, threatened, or endangered plant species as well as rare insects, rocks and minerals. A museum and interpretive trails are open to the Public.
General Overview
| Size | 27 | square miles |
| Population | 6,050 | 2000 census |
| Population density | 220 | per square mile |
| Miles of sstreams | 92 | miles |
Land Cover Characteristics
| Urban | 21 % |
| Agricultural | 29 % |
| Forest | 50 % |
| Impervious | 3 % |
Zoning Classifications
| Urban Residential | 3 % |
| Rural Residential | 71 % |
| Commercial | 1 % |
| Agricultural | 25 % |
| Industrial | 1 % |
To participate in volunteer activities contact a nearby watershed association. For the Liberty Reservoir watershed contact the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway.
Watershed Management Program
Phone: 410-887-5683
Fax: 410-887-3510
E-mail: watersheds@baltimorecountymd.gov
Revised October 29, 2007
Courthouse 