What's Here

General Information About the Reservoir Watersheds

Swimming In Reservoirs Is Illegal

In 2006, for example, four young people died in a one-week period – all while swimming in prohibited areas (one at the Loch Raven Reservoir, another near the dam at Patapsco Valley State Park and two young adults at Prettyboy Reservoir).

Here are the rules regarding open-water swimming:

• Swimming is illegal in the three city-owned reservoirs located in Baltimore County: Prettyboy, Loch Raven and Liberty. This year, Baltimore City has assigned “Watershed Rangers” with full police powers to patrol and enforce laws on watershed property.
• Swimming and other water activities, including tubing, are permitted at your own risk in some rivers and streams running through state parks – unless the area is posted, “No Swimming.”
  
  Most state parks have beaches or waterfront areas designated for swimming; in those parks, swimming is prohibited outside the designated areas. Contact the state park you plan to visit for detailed information about what is allowed.
  
• Swimming in private, abandoned quarries constitutes trespassing and is illegal.

Dangers of Open Water Swimming

Reservoirs were never designed for swimming and are unsafe. They are full of hidden rocks, fallen trees and unstable ledges. The depths fluctuate suddenly. Water visibility is poor. Underwater currents can be treacherous.

EMS officials advise extreme caution even in areas where open water swimming is permitted. Open water swimming poses different risks than pool swimming because of limited visibility, tidal action and fluctuations in water depth and temperature. It is unwise to swim without a lifeguard on duty. Always check the water depth and for hidden rocks before diving.

Additional information about other water safety issues , including pool safety is available online.

Revised May 13, 2009