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St. Mary’s Lake Water Level Lowered for Dam Repairs
Callaway, Md. — The water level of the 250-acre lake at St. Mary’s River State Park will be lowered seven feet below normal starting in Sept. 2008 to allow for necessary dam repairs. The boat launch ramps at the park will be closed due to the low water levels.
“This temporary inconvenience is necessary to maintain public safety, as the lake at St. Mary’s River State Park is a flood control area,” said Christy Bright, park manager. “We hope local residents and visitors continue to visit the park to enjoy nature trails, the playground, shoreline fishing and birding.”
The top of the dam will be closed to all foot and bike traffic for the duration of the construction. Fishermen wishing to fish from small boats, canoes, and kayaks may be able to launch by pulling their boats to the waters edge. Those wishing to launch their boats this way are urged to use caution due to the soft exposed lake bottom. The water level will stay at lower levels until construction is complete in April of 2009 and natural rain waters refills the lake to normal levels.
Situated at the northern end of the St. Mary's River watershed, the St. Mary’s River State Park protects a wide range of habitats, from wooded acres and fields to swamps and small streams. For more information about the park visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/southern/stmarysriver.html.
September 19, 2008 Contact: Olivia Campbell
410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell
ocampbell@dnr.state.md.usMaryland 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 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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.