Eyes on Deep Creek Lake

A view of Deep Creek Lake with a dock and shorelineMaryland Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring water quality at Deep Creek Lake since 2009. The interactive map below displays long term mainstem and cove stations in Deep Creek Lake where we have collected water quality data since the program's inception in 2009. Below the map you will also find links to background information, water quality data downloads, reports, and newsletters.

Other MD DNR Deep Creek Lake Resources:


The map below may be difficult for screen reader users. Please use our accessible Deep Creek Lake data table for a fully compatible text version of this information.

  • Filter Stations: check/uncheck the boxes for each water quality data type to turn data points on/off
  • Show Legend: hover over this menu to display the legend for the station markers
  • Station markers: click to view station details, and link to data and charts
  • Zoom/Pan: zoom in & out using your mouse scroll button; click & drag to move the map around

Deep Creek Lake Water Quality Monitoring Programs:

Monitoring team sampling water through a hole in lake ice

Mainstem Lake Monitoring

Water quality profiles and water samples collected at 4 mainstem lake stations from 2009-present.

Map of lake cove sampling locations

Cove Sampling

Water quality profiles collected at 7-10 lake embayment stations near-monthly from 2009-present.

A flow meter used in tributary sampling

Tributary Sampling

Since 1980, monthly 'base flow' and storm event samples have been collected from Cherry Creek.

Submerged aquatic vegetation underwater

Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring

The types and abundance of aquatic vegetation have been surveyed at various locations since 2010.

Deep Creek Reports:

Water Quality Reports:

SAV Reports:

Hydrilla invasive plant

Deep Creek Newsletters:

* Search our publications database.

About Deep Creek Lake:

Deep Creek Lake is the largest reservoir completely within Maryland's boundaries. Like all Maryland lakes, Deep Creek Lake is manmade, created in 1925 to provide water for a hydroelectric station.

After Maryland purchased the property in 2000, monitoring began to support management. Initially, 8 mainstem and 9 tributary cove sites were sampled.

Beginning in July 2014, effort was redirected... Read more about Deep Creek history >>

Wake behind a DNR research vessel

Water Quality Data:

Download data as a .csv file using our tool on the Data Downloads page.

Access Data Tool

Measured Parameters:

  • Conductivity
  • pH
  • Water temperature
  • Turbidity
  • Fluorescence
  • Secchi depth

Surface and bottom samples are collected at all mainstem stations.