The Deep Creek Watershed: Past, Present and Future

Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan at Ten Years: Measuring Progress and Looking Ahead

Curious about the health of Deep Creek Lake? Wondering what progress has been made to protect and restore its waters—and what comes next? Join us for a free community symposium on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Garrett College’s Performing Arts Center.

Nearly a decade ago, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and the Garrett County Commission endorsed the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan (“The Plan”). Since then, the Plan has guided local and state efforts to safeguard the lake and its watershed, funding a Watershed Coordinator position and establishing an Administrative Council that meets monthly to monitor progress and recommend actions.

This free symposium, sponsored by the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, will explore the past, present, and future of the watershed. Attendees will hear directly from experts and community leaders, with opportunities to ask questions and provide input on next steps for protecting the lake. Talks will focus on several of the thirteen goals of The Plan, while inviting public engagement.

Program Highlights

Tom Parham, DNR, Administrative Counsel representative, will discuss the

Current State of the Lake, water quality monitoring and funding strategies for

future work.

Molly Ramsey, a Garrett County native, serves as the county’s Watershed

Coordinator. She will discuss achievements of The Plan, the public-private

partnerships and emerging priorities.

Don Rosenberry, PhD from the USGS in Denver, CO, will discuss Modeling and

Monitoring Water Releases from Deep Creek Lake.

Cristina Sanders, the new Deep Creek Lake Manager, will discuss a new DNR

pilot project regarding nuisance sub-aquatic vegetation.

Hannah Patton, PhD, an environmental engineer for Eastern Research Group

and Board Member of the Watershed Foundation will discuss progress on Goal

9: Protecting the Watershed from the Adverse Effects of Impaired Septic

Systems.

Bruce Michael, who is a past Director of DNR’s Resource Assessment Service

and now works for Garrett County regarding Special Projects, will discuss Deep

Creek Lake sediment studies and related projects.

The day will conclude with a panel discussion open to audience questions and

comments.

Doors open at Garrett College’s Performing Arts Center at 8:30 for sign-in and coffee.

Attendance, a box lunch and morning and afternoon snacks will be free to the public.

The Symposium will be available virtually and registration will be found in the following

link: https://www.deepcreekwatershedfoundation.org.  Times for each speaker will be

available by October 15th on our website. 

We hope you’ll join us in person to learn and talk with neighbors. Can’t stay all day? Catch the topics you care about most.

The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit corporation which bases

its activities on the goals and strategies of The Deep Creek Watershed Management

Plan. Its mission is to help preserve and protect the Deep Creek Watershed and Deep

Creek Lake.