Now Available, 2019 Watercraft Permits for Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs

Tuesday Dec 4th, 2018

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., today announced that boaters can now apply for their 2019 Watercraft Permit for Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs.   Boating season at Liberty and Prettyboy runs from March 1 through December 31, weather permitting. Boating permits for Loch Raven Reservoir are issued through the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks.  Boating is allowed at Loch Raven from April 5, 2019 – October 27, 2019.

Baltimore’s reservoirs are open to visitors from sunrise to sunset, and bank fishing is allowed year-round. Boating requires a permit. Fishing requires a Maryland fishing license.

The spread of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) means special regulations apply to boating and fishing at Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs. “Zebra mussels have appeared in Maryland waters, and they damage aquatic ecosystems as well as man-made structures. To help prevent their spread, all rules and regulations regarding boating and fishing at our reservoirs must be followed,” Director Chow stated.

These mollusks can colonize water intake pipes, restricting the water flow to municipal treatment plants. Physical and chemical removal is costly and time-consuming. Zebra mussels also create navigational hazards and damage piers, docks and bridges.  

One of the most common ways for the mussels to spread is by attaching themselves to boats. Those boats can carry the mussels to other bodies of fresh water. 

Prevention is crucial to keeping our reservoirs free of zebra mussels.  

  • If you boat in our reservoirs, you are prohibited from using your watercraft in any other waters, except the three City-owned reservoirs.
  • Only use aquatic bait purchased from a MDNR-certified, zebra mussel-free bait store. Do not use live aquatic bait that you have caught yourself. Do not transfer bait water between bodies of water.
  • Never release wildlife of any sort, land or aquatic, at our reservoirs.

To obtain a boating permit application for Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs please visit: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/reservoirs, or call 410-795-6150.

To obtain a boating permit for Loch Raven Reservoir please contact the Loch Raven Fishing Center:  lrfish-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov or call 410-887-7692.

To obtain a Maryland fishing license go to your local bait and tackle store or visit: https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/DnrCompassPortal/Security/Logon

Related Stories

The Department of Public Works is Now Accepting Public Comment on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Operation and Maintenance Plan

The Modified Consent Decree Revised Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan has officially been released by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) and is available on the DPW website for review and comment in accordance with the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD). DPW will accept public comments pertaining to this document for 30 days, through November 16, 2024. Comments may be submitted directly to Michael.Shipman@baltimorecity.gov.

Baltimore City and County Submit Initial Water Service Line Inventory to MDE Part of a Nationwide Effort to Remove Lead Lines from Water Systems

On Tuesday, October 15, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) submitted their initial water service line inventory to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). This submission is part of a nationwide effort, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to identify and eliminate lead and galvanized pipes from water distribution systems.

DPW is Now Accepting Public Comments on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Emergency Response Plan 

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW)  has announced the release of its Revised Emergency Response Plan (ERP), a reference tool to be used by City personnel during a sanitary sewer overflow or reported building backup emergency. The Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD) requires DPW to submit a revised Emergency Response Plan to protect the public health and welfare in the event of an unpermitted release, spill, or discharge of pollutants from the sewer collection system or in the event of a reported building backup.

Visit the Newsroom