Loch Raven Reservoir Watershed

The Loch Raven Reservoir watershed is the largest watershed within Baltimore County.

Numerous tributaries contribute water to the Loch Raven Reservoir.

Loch Raven Reservoir is located just north of the Baltimore Beltway and its watershed occupies almost the entire central portion of Baltimore County. Small parts of Western Harford County and Southern York County, Pennsylvania also drain into this watershed. It encompasses Baltimore County communities from Upperco to Jacksonville including Hereford, Parkton and Cockeysville along the central corridor. Loch Raven is the largest of three area reservoir watersheds that together provide up to 405 million gallons of water per day to Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The reservoir is protected under a Reservoir Watershed Management Agreement, originally established 1984 and renewed in 2005, which endorsed a broad range of policy and resource commitments by all area jurisdictions. The source of reservoir water is Gunpowder Falls.

The Loch Raven Reservoir watershed begins at the dam on the Prettyboy Reservoir. The Gunpowder Falls then flows across the rural lands of north central Baltimore County. Almost all of the Loch Raven Reservoir watershed is located outside the County’s urban rural demarcation line (URDL). 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. A substantial agricultural community continues to farm on these lands. The County has worked with these landowners to preserve thousands of acres of land with protective easements.

Many portions of the Gunpowder Falls consist of heavily forested lands that are within the Gunpowder Falls State Park.  Gunpowder Falls State Park, Maryland’s largest, is a popular destination for fishing, birding, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The water quality in these reaches is exceptionally good and supports a healthy, self-sustaining brown trout population.

The Reservoir itself not only supplies the city and surrounding suburbs with water, but it is also the area’s preferred destination for bass fishing.  The Loch Raven Fishing Center rents small fishing boats and canoes and also has the only boat ramp that provides access into the reservoir. The reservoir area is also a popular spot for picnicking, and bird watching. On weekends a 3-mile stretch of Loch Raven Drive along the reservoir is shut down to vehicular traffic and is an excellent place for runners, bikers, walkers and rollerbladers looking to recreate away from the metropolitan traffic. In addition, there are more than 20 miles of trails and fireroads throughout the watershed that are perfect for running, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Watershed Management Plan

The Loch Raven Reservoir watershed mangement plan was completed in January 1997.  The plan recognizes four management areas within the Loch Raven Reservoir; reservoir protection subwatersheds, urban and rapidly urbanizing subwatersheds, parkland and forested subwatersheds and agriculture and headwater subwatersheds. The plan includes pollutant load estimates, a stream stability assessment, identification of problems and a table of mangement actions. The executive summary (PDF) is available for download from this web site.

Volunteer Activities

To participate in watershed activities, contact your local watershed association.  For the Loch Raven Reservoir watershed contact the Gunpowder Valley Conservacy.

Watershed Profile

General Overview

Land Cover Characteristics

Zoning Classifications

Contact Information
Watershed Management Program
Phone: 410-887-5683
Fax: 410-887-3510
E-mail: watersheds@baltimorecountymd.gov

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Revised June 16, 2008