Deep Creek Lake Maryland - Deep Creek Lake Blog

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor — Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

Deep Creek Lake Celebrates 91 Years. Deep Creek Lake is coming up on its 91st anniversary of existence! Maryland’s largest freshwater lake is loved by many and has an interesting history. Deep Creek Lake encompasses about 3900 acres with 65 miles of shoreline. This man-made lake got its start in 1925 as the result of an effort undertaken by the Youghiogheny Hydro Electric Corporation to harness the power of the Youghiogheny River. A 1300-foot-long impoundment dam was constructed to stem the flow of water. Thousands upon thousands of trees were removed from the area to be flooded and 15 miles of primary and secondary roads were relocated. It was estimated that it would take close to 6 months to fill the new Reservoir but heavy rains and snowfall quickened the process to only a couple of months.

On May 26th 1925, the hydroelectric plant kicked in the service with water from the lake transported to a Powerhouse through a 7000-foot tunnel. A remarkable feat at the time. Although the lake was constructed originally to harness energy it has become Maryland’s favorite recreational lake for fishing, boating and plane ole relaxing. The lake is responsible for transforming the economy and quality of life here to all Garrett County residents and the many thousands of visitors and homeowners who call this place home. The lake is an economic engine for Garrett County spurring growth in the tourism industry and generating millions in property tax revenue. In the heat of summer, it is estimated that we see half a million visitors that enjoy the area. Through its many personalities of the past, Deep Creek Lake has evolved into a place where families create and retain lifetimes of memories.

Deep Creek Lake Springtime Photo Gallery 2016

Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Springtime Photo Gallery 2016

Springtime Weather Update Deep Creek Lake May 19, 2016

Springtime Weather Update Deep Creek Lake May 19, 2016. As the abundant and looming Springtime rain gives us a reprieve from its fury we start to understand again why Deep Creek Lake is such a special place to so many. On my commute to work this morning it was refreshing to see Blue Skies above me as the fog burned off the lake. You notice instantly all the springtime flowers that have been blanketed by rain over the last few weeks flexing their colors and reaching for the sky. The birds have come alive and are vibrant in their springtime splendor with the warm temperature returning like a welcomed friend.

Continue reading Springtime Weather Update Deep Creek Lake May 19, 2016

Deep Creek Lakes Top Spring Activities

Deep Creek Lake’s Top Spring Activities

We are often asked what are Deep Creek Lake’s best spring activities. In a four-season resort like Deep Creek there is always plenty to do as you transition into each season. As we start getting closer to the end of the 2016 winter season it’s a great time to start planning next season’s family adventures. Springtime always has a special place in my heart personally because of the abundance of “new life” after a long winter of hibernation. You will not be disappointed with the diverse amount of activities we have here at Deep Creek to experience. Here are a few to get you started…

Fishing- Like fishing? Get up before the crack of dawn and get out on the lake with a pale full of golden shiners in some secluded little cove near the dam and get ready to wear out your wrist reeling in 14+ species of fish. All your favorites are here such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill and many other species. Start your day enjoying the peaceful calm that Deep Creek offers every morning and fill up your cooler with lunch for the family.

Hiking–If you like to check-out from civilization and become one with nature then Deep Creek Lake is your home for great hiking adventures. With seven State parks, you will have no problem getting your fill of the green life. Mild temperatures, budding trees and blooming wildflowers make spring a great time to hike in the area. There is plenty of information online to get you started, so grab your family and get stepping!

The Spring Thaw at Swallow Falls- You can witness a really amazing spectacle here at Deep Creek Lake in the Spring time. The Spring thaw at Deep Creek lake is basically all the snow accumulation during the winter melting which swells the rivers and waterfalls. Take some time to research and check out this amazing event.

Golf – Deep Creek Lake is lucky enough to have the wonderful mountain course Lodestone near Wisp Resort. There’s also Thousand Acres Golf Course, Oakland Golf Club and Wisp Golf Course. You have a nice selection of different tiered golf courses for your enjoyment.

Canoeing/Kayaking Paddleboarding- Take an early morning sunrise canoe/kayak or paddleboard run around the lake and have the entire lake to yourself. If you have never been on the lake early in the morning you are missing out on one amazing experience.

Deep Creek Dunk by Snowmobile 2016

So I wake up on Dunk morning and notice the water pouring off the icicles on the back window. Normally the temps are brutal cold on the morning of the Deep Creek Dunk and last year we had a storm on top of it that made it hard for people to even get to the event. My wife Betsy and I tentatively planned on going to the Deep Creek Dunk by snowmobiles 2016 but grew increasingly concerned at the warm morning we were experiencing. Continue reading Deep Creek Dunk by Snowmobile 2016

Happy People,Cold Water, -Deep Creek Dunk, Maryland

Cold Water, Happy People-Deep Creek Dunk, Maryland

Most are quick to support a wonderful charity for the benefit of the Special Olympics Some crazy happy people jump in cold water at the Deep Creek Dunk to help out the cause. Continue reading Happy People,Cold Water, -Deep Creek Dunk, Maryland

Enjoying Glassy Deep Creek Lake

Sacred morning glass here at Deep Creek Lake is something to behold indeed. I have become a connoisseur of fine glassy mornings here at the lake. There is nothing more calming and spiritual than waking up very early and looking out on a lake with zero wind and sacrificing a few hours of sleep to enjoy absolute solace. Watch as the sun slowly generates an assortment of warm morning colors and creeps slowly over the mountaintops as the lake starts to come alive. Don’t be surprised if you are all alone during this experience as the lake is underutilized in early morning hours. This makes the journey even sweeter.

Later you can catch up with all your friends who all promised they would get up with you who instead slept in! No worries though, they will have missed out and will never understand what you have experienced until they do it for themselves. Your best explanation of the experience will fall short of something that cannot be defined but has to be experienced.

Years back, my wife Betsy and a few friends would regularly have the boat gassed up and ready to roll for some early morning wakeboard and slalom skiing runs. It’s amazing to see your reflection perfectly off lake glass as you are going in excess of 20 mph. Not one trace ripple impedes the rails of your skis as you carve perfect figure eights leaving wrinkled pulses of wake scattering toward the shores behind you. By the time your run is over and you have switched skiers the waters have again calmed to a mirror surface. Paddleboarding and canoeing take this experience to a hallowed level as the sounds of only your paddle faintly and calmly motor you through seemingly masterpiece sceneries of reflected mountains, trees, clouds and the colorful awakening sun.

Don’t be afraid to bring the fishing poles to anchor and witness the wildlife around as you keep a sharp eye on your bobber. Let the lake’s glass inspire your day before the wind starts to blow and the lake traffic picks up. You will be rewarded with memories that will carry you through the winter.

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland-Fast Facts

Total Shoreline: 65 miles

The Length the Lake:11.6 miles

Lake Elevation: 2,462

Area of Lake: 3,900

Summer Bottom H20 Temperature: 49F

Summer Surface H20 Temperature: 73F

Average Depth: 26.5 feet

The Maximum Depth: 72 feet

Approximate Depth of Ice in Winter: 18”

Elevation: 2466

Deep Creek Lake-Perseid Meteor Shower

Deep Creek Lake-Perseid Meteor Shower. Last night I took my camera and tripod out on the back porch trying to catch a photo of the much anticipated perseid meteor shower that has been all over the news this week. Skies were crystal clear, which made me very hopeful of catching this event using long exposure photography techniques. My eyes took about ten minutes to adjust and to finally get an in-depth view of the billions stars of the Milky Way that exploded overhead. I bumped up my ISO’s and reduced my aperture and focused in on the 219 bridge below with the sky playing background to this special event. Time and time again I randomly pulled the trigger on the camera hoping to be lucky enough to catch a meteor screaming across the sky at light speed. Like clockwork, as soon as the camera finished shooting the shot I would see a brilliant light but MISSING THE SHOWER PHOTO! It was cat and mouse all night trying to get just one photo. At the end of the night the mouse got away with the cheese and I was left with only the memories of this fantastic event and a lot of pictures of airplanes that littered the skies all night. I tried to convince myself that the airplane pics may have been a meteor photo but the dotted red lights where a dead giveaway that I failed. I have one more opportunity tonight to redeem myself and catch one image. Either way, I will be thankful to have another opportunity to do what I did as a child growing up and that is to lie on my back and stare up at the stars with childhood wonder trying to imagine where the universe starts and stops, if there is other life out there, and if the universe goes on for infinity, then what’s after that…?

DAY TWO UPDATE…After clocking 6 + hours of wonderful sky watching, I finally got a few photo’s showing bits of the meteor show! See below my best two efforts… I hope you didn’t miss the show!

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest

Deep Creek Lake-Bust Largeness Wakeboard Contest. It’s easy to see how this event was missed by the masses as I can’t really recall hearing much about it before the event took place. However, High Mountain Sports put together a spectacular event with locals and out-of-town pros alike. The contestants, both men and women, put on an amazing display of what the human body can do attached to a 45-foot rope and a small epoxy wakeboard strapped to their feet. I personally am not up to date with the wakeboard trick lingo but I described them to my wife as being mcflips, el rolos and of course very large airs. Contestants were launching off what appeared to be a 3-foot wake and catching at least 8-10’ airs, which had the crowd along the bank applauding these young daredevils. Boats lined up on the water on the strip of DCL in between Rock Lodge Road and Garrett Highway to witness the Bust Largeness contest that was held directly across the street from High Mountain Sports. Deep
Creek Marina supplied a brand spanking new Malibu Wakesetter to help provide the contestants with premium wakeboard conditions. They also brought another state-of-the-art wakeboard boat, a Malibu Axis, for the spectators to check out during the event. To round it out, Johnny Rock provided enough wattage to blast ripples of sound through the water with some hip, energetic background music. Betsy and I have been known to do a few bunny hops over the wake during our summer dawn patrol sessions but we’ll leave the largeness airs to the professionals!

Category: Deep Creek Lake Maryland