State Parks Limit Service Due To Storm Damage
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest and Park Service announced park service reductions today due to damage sustained in Monday night’s thunderstorms.
Effective immediately, swimming will be prohibited at Cunningham Falls State Park due to damage sustained in thunderstorms and high winds Monday. The storms dumped 4 to 5 inches of rain in the park area, causing ditches to overflow, the park’s lake to fill with debris, and the bridge on Catoctin Hollow Road to wash out. This bridge is on the main county road into the park; the subsequent detour is approximately 8 miles around on narrow county roads.
Due to the debris and sediment in the lake, the park will be closed to swimming until further notice. Swimming will be prohibited during this time. Other day use and camping areas will be open, but visitors should be advised that the access roads to the park remain covered with debris; continuing thunderstorms could exacerbate these conditions.
Rocks State Park also sustained water damage due to Monday night’s thunderstorms. The Wilson’s and Hills Grove areas of the park will be closed until further notice.
Forecasted thunderstorms this week could continue to negatively impact Maryland’s 48 State Forests and Parks. Updates will follow as necessary.
Posted June 15, 2004