Loch Raven Reservoir

Loch Raven Reservoir
Aerial view facing northwest
Location of Loch Raven Reservoir in Maryland, USA.
Location of Loch Raven Reservoir in Maryland, USA.
Loch Raven Reservoir
Location of Loch Raven Reservoir in Maryland, USA.
Location of Loch Raven Reservoir in Maryland, USA.
Loch Raven Reservoir
LocationBaltimore County, Maryland
Coordinates39°27′N 76°34′W / 39.450°N 76.567°W / 39.450; -76.567
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsBig Gunpowder Falls river
Primary outflowsBig Gunpowder Falls river
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length10.7 miles (17.2 km)
Surface area3.75 sq mi (9.7 km2)[1]
Water volume23 billion US gallons (0.087 km3)
Surface elevation240 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.