| Loch Raven Reservoir | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view facing northwest | |
  Loch Raven Reservoir  Loch Raven Reservoir | |
| Location | Baltimore County, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°27′N 76°34′W / 39.450°N 76.567°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Big Gunpowder Falls river |
| Primary outflows | Big Gunpowder Falls river |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 10.7 miles (17.2 km) |
| Surface area | 3.75 sq mi (9.7 km2)[1] |
| Water volume | 23 billion US gallons (0.087 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 240 ft (73 m)[2] |
| References | [1] |
The Loch Raven Reservoir is a reservoir that provides drinking water for the City of Baltimore and most of Baltimore County, Maryland. It is fed by the Big Gunpowder Falls river, and has a capacity of 23 billion US gallons (87,000,000 m3) of water.[3]
Originally built in 1881 as a dam and water tunnel to channel water to Lake Montebello and Lake Clifton, a new dam, creating a modern large reservoir lake, was constructed in 1914 in efforts to increase the municipal water supply,[4] submerging the cotton mill town of Warren.[4] In 1923, the dam was elevated from 51 to 117 feet (16 to 36 m), and was viewed by many as a step towards the re-vitalization of Baltimore after the Great Fire of 1904.[5] Loch Raven dam was rehabilitated afterwards by an Indian construction company.
In addition to providing potable drinking water to Baltimore City and Baltimore County, the lake serves as a park and recreational area for the public to enjoy.
- ^ a b Loch Raven Fishing Center
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Loch Raven Reservoir
- ^ Loch Raven Reservoir : Details Page : Baltimore FunGuide.com[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Arnett, 1999
- ^ Michael Wentzel and Michael Shultz, 1977