County Asks For Input On Loch Raven Watershed Protection

A meeting will be held in Glen Arm on Jan. 23.

Baltimore County is looking for input from the public as they launch an effort to improve the Loch Raven watershed along the east side of the reservoir. A meeting will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. John's Lutheran Church (13300 Manor Road) to share information about and hear public contributions to a new Small Watershed Action Plan. The plan is being introduced by the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainablility and the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, a local nonprofit. Upcoming restoration efforts, including those aimed at restoring the health of streams and improving the quality of drinking water, will be guided by the Small Watershed Action Plan, according to a news release from the county. The …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

DPW: 'Don't Swim in the Reservoirs'

The Department of Public Works has issued a reminder that swimming in the reservoir is dangerous and against the law.

There is perhaps no greater feeling than jumping into a refreshing pool of water, taking a swim on a hot summer day. Just don't do it in one of the city's three raw-water reservoirs. The Department of Public Works recently sent out a reminder that swimming in Loch Raven, Liberty or Prettyboy reservoirs is illegal and dangerous.  "Reservoirs, however, are not safe for swimming and doing so can lead to tragedy," reads a release. "Temperatures in the deep waters drop quickly and diving into them may lead to hypothermia. In addition there are very rapid drop-offs, currents, hidden rocks and branches." Three young men died from drowning in separate incidents in 2011 over a six-week span, the release states. A 24-year-old Middle River man had to…

• Photos (1)

Don't Miss Your Chance To Walk Loch Raven Dam

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, which manages Loch Raven Reservoir, will open the dam to the public this weekend.

Walking along the dam at Loch Raven Reservoir to take in the scenery seems like an extreme sport at best, and entirely illegal at worst, but not tomorrow. On Saturday, you and your family will have a chance to walk along the dam and learn about the source of your drinking water when the Baltimore City Department of Public Works opens the dam to the public from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works maintains and manages the public water system for Baltimore County including Loch Raven, Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs. "Loch Raven Day is quickly becoming a Baltimore tradition, and it harkens back to an old Baltimore tradition, weekend family trips to Loch Raven Dam where young and old could enjoy the …

• Photos (1)

Council To Consider 'BYOB' Licenses

Council votes to prohibit panhandle lots in the Carney-Cub Hill-Parkville community. Bill allowing biking, hiking in Loch Raven Reservoir is withdrawn.

Updated (11:12 a.m.)—County restaurants and other businesses that don't have liquor licenses but allow customers to bring their own beer and wine may soon need a license to continue the practice. Councilman Todd Huff, a Timonium Republican, introduced a bill Monday night that would create a "BYOB License" for restaurants and some other businesses that do not already have a license to sell alcohol to patrons. "There is no law governing BYOB," said Huff. "We looked." Currently, businesses such as restaurants and cigar shops are technically allowed to offer "BYOB by right," Huff said. Many restaurants already do, the councilman said. The problem, according to Huff, is that some businesses that allow customers to consume alcohol also allow …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Council Urges Compromise on Loch Raven Reservoir Bike Trails

At a work session last Tuesday, all seven members of the county council agreed on a resolution to encourage bike trail users, the city and the county to work together on the use of unsanctioned bike trails in Loch Raven Reservoir.