Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake is a reservoir in Garrett County in western Maryland that covers roughly 3,900 acres and is surrounded by about 69 miles of shoreline. The water sits at around 2,460 feet (750 m) among forested ridges and forms the largest freshwater lake in the state.

The Pennsylvania Electric Company built a dam on Deep Creek between 1923 and 1925 to generate hydroelectric power for the area. That construction flooded the valley and shaped the present-day body of water, which later became a destination for recreation as well as energy production.

The reservoir draws families and outdoor groups who arrive to fish, paddle or simply walk along the banks during warmer months. Many people return season after season to camp nearby or to explore the surrounding trails that connect the shore with wooded hillsides.

The nearby state park provides shoreline access with spots for swimming, boating and fishing along several sections. During winter the area becomes a site for ice fishing and snowshoeing, depending on ice conditions.

The dam continues to generate electricity for homes in the surrounding area while swimmers and sailors share the same water surface. In autumn the shoreline offers a view of leaf color changes in the surrounding forests reflected across the surface.