Lake Roland (Maryland)
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| Lake Roland | |
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| Lake Roland | |
| Location | Towson, Baltimore County, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°22′42″N 076°38′35″W / 39.37833°N 76.64306°WCoordinates: 39°22′42″N 076°38′35″W / 39.37833°N 76.64306°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Jones Falls, Towson Run, Roland Run |
| Primary outflows | Jones Falls |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 246 ft (75 m) |
Lake Roland is a 100-acre (0.40 km2) reservoir in Baltimore County, Maryland. It served as the first municipal water supply for the city of Baltimore, starting in 1861. Although located outside of the city limits, it is owned and managed by the city. The city stopped using the lake as a drinking water source in 1915.
The lake is contained within Robert E. Lee Park. It is an artificial impoundment created by a dam on the Jones Falls, and is also fed by two smaller streams, Towson Run and Roland Run. The lake supports wildlife including Canada geese, largemouth bass, and common carp.
Since 1986, elevated levels of chlordane in the flesh of the lake's fish have resulted in the issuance of a fish consumption advisory and the classification of the lake as a water-quality impaired segment.
Some of the wealthiest and most desirable communities in the Baltimore area adjoin the park; indeed, the L'Hirondelle Club was originally founded by wealthy members of the local community for rowing on the lake. It is bounded by Ruxton to the north, Woodbrook to the East, and North Roland Park-Poplar Hill to the south. They were built as country houses for the social elite of Baltimore at the turn of the century due to the attractive setting. They were all designed in the then popular Georgian, Tudor revival, and Chateau styles. The park is also bounded in the west by the community of Bare Hills, one of the oldest African-American settlements in the area.
The lake is part of the Lake Roland Historic District.
[edit] External links
- Lake Roland Dam and Gatehouse
- Lake Roland TMDL (fish consumption advisory)
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Roland
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