Lake Needwood
| Lake Needwood | |
|---|---|
 May 2006 | |
| Location | Derwood, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°07′16″N 77°07′46″W / 39.121238°N 77.129388°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Rock Creek |
| Primary outflows | Rock Creek |
| Catchment area | 12.8 sq mi (33 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Water volume | 196,000,000 US gal (0.00074 km3) |
Lake Needwood is a 75-acre (300,000 m2) reservoir in Derwood, Maryland just east of Rockville, in the eastern part of Montgomery County that is located on Rock Creek. The lake was created to provide flood control. It also protects the water quality of the creek by functioning as a retention basin to trap sediment from stormwater runoff. Ironically, there have been several evacuations of downstream residents during periods of heavy rain, due to concerns about the structural integrity of the earthen dam constructed in 1965.
The lake is part of Rock Creek Regional Park. Visitors can rent pedal boats, rowboats, and canoes, and a flat-bottom pontoon boat, the Needwood Queen, is available for rides. With a license, fishing is permitted. Also, the picnic areas surrounding the lake are popular locations for various events. Other park features include a visitors center and snack bar, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, an archery range and Needwood Golf Course. About one mile (1.6 km) southeast is Lake Needwood's sister lake, Lake Frank.
The Rock Creek Trail begins at Lake Needwood and can be followed along the course of Rock Creek, ending at the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
Mid-Atlantic States flood of 2006
The latest evacuation, of approximately 2,200 people, was on June 28, 2006. Communities just south of the lake were evacuated and were housed in temporary shelters at nearby high schools until the lake's level dropped. The evacuees lived in 500 apartments at the Rock Creek Terrace complex on Veirs Mill Road in Rockville and in 700 single family homes in that area. Officials stated that the lake was 25 feet (7.6 m) above its normal level during the flood, and many roads in the surrounding area had been closed down for fear of flooding. As soon as fears subsided, evacuees returned home on June 29. Montgomery County Homeland Security director Gordon Aoyagi and County Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer estimated that if the dam had broken, areas south of the lake could have flooded up to 19 feet (5.8 m).[1]
Dredging project
Until 1990, the county government regularly conducted dredging projects of the lake to remove accumulated sediment. Since that time dredging was deferred for budgetary reasons. In 2008, the County started preparations to dredge sediment from the lake during 2010-2011. The dredging project will improve water quality, as well as boating and fishing conditions.[2]
Toxicity
In 2010, the lake was found to have low levels of microcystin, a toxin produced by cyanobacteria that can cause liver damage.[3] The toxin was also reported in the water in 2012, 2013 and 2014.[4][5][6] Approximately 50 bright yellow signs were posted along trails around the lake advising patrons to keep pets away from the water.[7]
See also
References
- ^ WTOPNews.com. "Evacuated Montgomery Co. Residents Go Home." June 30, 2006.
- ^ Gazette Newspapers."Lake Needwood to be lowered." February 13, 2008.
- ^ Mimi Liu (August 11, 2010). "Harmful algae bloom found at Lake Needwood in Derwood". Gazette. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ^ M-NCPPC. "Elevated Microcystin Levels at Lake Needwood." July 22, 2014.
- ^ Gazette Newspapers."Montgomery Park officials warn residents of toxic water at Lake Needwood." July 24, 2014.
- ^ Tiffany Arnold (July 24, 2013). "Algae Toxins Taint Lake Needwood Waters in Rockville". Rockville Patch. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ^ Kevin Lewis (July 23, 2014). "Toxic algae in Montgomery County's Lake Needwood poses pet danger". WJLA Washington, D.C. Retrieved October 6, 2015.