Arrowhead Cove, during low water levels.
Sediment dredging is a means to remove excess accumulated sediment caused by stream inputs (primarily during high rain and snow melt events) and shoreline erosion into a body of water.
At Deep Creek Lake, Arrowhead Cove was identified in multiple studies as an area with relatively high sediment accumulation. It was also identified as a suitable location for a pilot dredging project.
Planning, design, and project review for such a pilot dredging project located at Arrowhead Cove is now well underway. By conducting this pilot project, Garrett County, the State of Maryland, property owners, and stakeholders will evaluate the pros and cons of dredging within Deep Creek Lake. The groups will also learn if dredging other sediment-impacted Deep Creek Lake coves is a viable and cost-effective strategy for improving water recreation, water quality, and fish habitat.
The State of Maryland has provided $2.7 million funding for the project, design, and implementation. Currently, environmental reviews are pending by Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of the Environment, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The pilot dredging project is proposed to begin in the fall of 2023, with most of the active dredging occurring in from late October to early January 2024 during low lake water levels. The project is expected to remove approximately 15,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment.
Public meetings will be held in early 2023 to better inform stakeholders of the project activities and solicit input as the plans are further developed.
For information on the dredging project, please contact Bruce Michael at bmichael@garrettcounty.org.
