'Never, Ever Swim in Loch Raven Reservoir;' One Man Got Out Alive

A man is safe after being pulled from Loch Raven Reservoir by friends late Tuesday, prompting police to offer a teaching moment for residents tempted by hot temperatures to jump in the cool water. Police said it wasn't clear whether the man jumped or fell into the drink.

"Never ever swim in Loch Raven Reservoir," police spokeswoman Louise Rogers-Feher said after police responded to a report of a person in the water near the intersection of Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Road around 10 p.m. June 25. 

 "There are rocks, there’s overgrown debris in there. You don’t know what’s under that water, especially at night. It’s murky. People will drown if they’re not careful, f they’re not strong swimmers or even if they are." 

By the time officers arrived, the man had been safely pulled from the reservoir by two friends, according to Rogers-Feher. 

It was not apparent Wednesday afternoon whether the man had fallen into the reservoir or gone for a swim, Rogers-Feher said. The Department of Natural Resources and the Watershed authorities have been notified and are investigating, she said.

Loch Raven Reservoir closes at dusk, and Rogers-Feher said the area where the man went into the water is normally blocked off by a locked gate. 

"This person was fortunate that his friends were able to get him out of the water," she said. "It’s a great fishing area but it’s not for swimming."

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, which manages Loch Raven, Prettyboy and Liberty reservoirs recently sent a news release reminding people of the penalties for swimming.

"Do not swim in the city’s reservoirs," the release states. "These areas offer beautiful scenery with opportunities for biking, hiking, bird watching, boating and fishing. Reservoirs, however, are not safe for swimming and doing so can lead to tragedy." 

The release states that those caught swimming can be fined up to $1,000 and charged with trespassing. 

In 2012, 250 citations were issued for swimming and swimming-related trespassing, the release states. So far in 2013, 40 swimming-related citations have been issued and one person was arrested.