Management Plan Being Developed For New Germany Lake To Address Vegetation And Siltation Issues

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GRANTSVILLE – Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff met with the Friends of New Germany State Park earlier this month to initiate development of a collaborative, science-based management plan for addressing the problems of aquatic vegetation growth and siltation in the 13-acre New Germany Lake.

The lake was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Since then, siltation has reduced water depths from 23 to 8 feet, and increasing amounts of aquatic vegetation in recent years have periodically plagued swimmers and boaters during summer months.

“The management plan will involve several steps, with action beginning immediately,” explained Park Manager Mike Gregory. “This summer we will continue mechanical control of the vegetation. In the fall, a new water control structure will be installed to allow Department staff to lower water levels to freeze the roots of the vegetation and provide short term vegetative control.”

To provide long-term solutions to these problems, the park staff will be working with the Friends, stakeholders, and the Department’s Public Lands Policy and Planning Office to identify a variety of lake management options and techniques. This information, along with the results of the winter drawdown, will be used to develop a preferred plan of action that will be completed by June 2008.

A second informational meeting will be held at the New Germany Lake House on Tuesday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m. for the Friends, interested members of the public, and the press.

Poplar Lick, which feeds into New Germany Lake and continues downsteam of the dam, is a Class III stream that is part of the Savage River watershed, Maryland’s only watershed considered a brook trout stronghold.

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May 21, 2007

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov