Tag: deep creek lake
Deep Creek Lake panel getting updates on lake use issues
SWANTON, Md. (AP) – The Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board is getting updates on some issues affecting users of the lake in far western Maryland.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting in Swanton includes a presentation about personal watercraft restrictions and a discussion of lake water levels.
The board appointed a subcommittee in January to study the current prohibition on personal watercraft use from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on summer weekends.
To read more, click here.
Black Bears Swim Sky Valley-Deep Creek Lake
Some cool video from local resident Logan Marks (http://www.loganmarksmedia.com) of black bears swimming & playing in Deep Creek Lake at Sky Valley. He shot this from his kayak ‘whilst holding his poodle’ and camera gear.
Sky Valley CubsI was trying my best to get photos, but I did shoot a few clips. Sorry for the wobbly video. It was pretty challenging to get steady shots on a kayak whilst holding a 3lb poodle and a camera with a 70-200 lens.
Posted by Marks Media on Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Garrett County tourism revenue up 4 percent from last year
Chamber website visits also jump from 2012
For the Cumberland Times-NewsCumberland Times-News
MCHENRY — Garrett County had the highest accommodations sales collections ever recorded during fiscal 2013, which ended June 30, according to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. Revenue was up 4 percent compared to the previous year.
The July and August figures for this fiscal year have increased 3 percent over last year. The 2013 Heads on Beds tallies are up 15 percent over 2012. Through September 2013, the Comptroller’s Office of Maryland reports a 10.9 percent increase in Garrett County sales tax collections.
Visits to the chamber of commerce website, visitdeepcreek.com, have increased 30 percent over 2012.
According to the Maryland Office of Tourism, Garrett County saw a 6.3 percent increase in fiscal 2013 tourism sales tax revenues, the highest increase in the state by a county not operating a casino. Overall, Maryland saw a less than 1 percent increase in tourism sales tax revenues.
“Due to our aggressive marketing strategies, we have seen record accommodations sales in fiscal years 2010 to 2013,” said Nicole Christian, president/CEO of the chamber. “We’ve taken advantage of some new advertising opportunities and really concentrated our marketing and advertising efforts in our target markets. We are pleased our new ad buys have really paid off.”
More here.
Deep Creek Lake Property Owner Incentives For Shore Erosion Projects
The Garrett County Commissioners have adopted a program whereby the County will grant to Deep Creek lakefront property owners a $1600 incentive for new completed shore erosion projects in fiscal year 2013. The program is designed to help property and real estate owners with the costs of construction of shore erosion structures along the lake shoreline. The funding applies to both structural (e.g. rip-rap) and nonstructural (e.g. vegetative) control measures.
DNR estimates that there are 8 to 10 projects that might be eligible for the funds. The project must be completed and inspected by both DNR and MDE in order for the property owner to be eligible for the incentive.
The program is part of a broader package of policies that the county is looking at for the protection of the watershed. This is a pilot year for the program and no decision has been made as to if it will be made available in the next county fiscal year.
Garrett commissioners adopt watershed ordinance
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a Department of Planning and Land Development recommendation to rectify a conflict in the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning ordinance.
“Apparently, there have been over the years a course of hundreds of text amendments that have been made to the Deep Creek zoning ordinance,” said Commissioner Jim Raley during a public meeting held Tuesday. “I don’t want to see us be inconsistent with state law. I don’t want to see us doing things that are procedurally incorrect.”
The purpose of the amendments is to change two sections to make the ordinance consistent with Land Use Article 66B.
“I also want to make it perfectly clear that I want a full review, to the extent possible, of any text amendment that comes before us,” said Raley. “Obviously, I know there still has to be a public hearing.”
Raley asked the planning commission to review his and see if procedurally something could be put into place place to add a small hurdle to a text amendment.
“I don’t want to see the text amendment becoming a substitute for something more comprehensive,” said Raley. “… it can be easier to go with a text amendment change than it would be with a full zoning amendment. I do see some future text amendments on the horizon that I think can be very substantive.”
Both Chairman Robert Gatto and Commissioner Gregan Crawford echoed Raley’s sentiments.
“This doesn’t mean we are going to rubber-stamp every text change that comes through,” said Crawford.
The commission also voted, with Crawford abstaining, to adopt the Deep Creek Lake Shoreline Stabilization Projects Incentive Program. Crawford said the decision should have been tabled until the results of Phase II of the Deep Creek Lake sediment study are known.
“Without knowing the results … we’re looking at what we could do up front,” said Raley.
The program is similar to the sprinkler incentive that was adopted by the commission several months ago. The program will provide a $1,600 incentive payment for construction of a structure for shoreline stabilization, according to John Nelson, director of Planning and Land Development. The incentive will be paid with carryover funds from last year.
“I think the intent of the Board of Commissioners wasn’t necessarily to try to come up with incentive to cover the cost of the permit fee but actually the cost of that construction,” said Nelson.
“The incentive requires full construction and requires that the structure pass inspections by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources,” said Raley.
The program is for the current fiscal year and, thus far, eight to 10 applications have been made for shoreline stabilization projects, according to Nelson. The program will encourage people to stabilize the shoreline to protect it from further erosion and sedimentation that is caused by the surface of the lake, said Nelson.
The commission also voted to give $500 to the Northern High School agriculture department to grow grass for the shoreline project and to allow Southern High School to be included, if interested.
Road Trip: Deep Creek, Md.
By Chris Ramirez
Published: Saturday, February 23, 2013, 6:44 p.m.
Updated 15 hours ago
Tired of concrete? Need a nature fix?
Make a beeline to the Deep Creek area of Maryland.
There’s a ton of fun to be had in this wondrous spit of land, where rolling hills of greenery kiss up against shimmering sky-blue lake water.
And there’s plenty here to bring out the wilderness adventurer in you, even when the weather’s cold.
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Respect Deep Creek Lake Ice!
Respect Deep Creek Lake ice
Cumberland Times-News
MCHENRY — As temperatures begin to freeze area waterways, the Maryland Park Service cautions that anyone enjoying winter activities on Deep Creek Lake or any frozen body of water, should use care, particularly at night.
“Snowmobilers, ice fishermen, hikers and cross-country skiers traveling on the frozen lake should exercise caution,” urged Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area Assistant Manager Mark Spurrier. “Wearing a personal flotation device could prevent a tragedy. If you encounter people, pets or wildlife that have fallen through the ice, call either 911 or the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-628-9944 for assistance.”
Road salt and abrasives plowed from highway bridges may affect the quality of the ice underneath and unseen snowdrifts can act as ramps and cause sleds and snowmobiles to become airborne leading to a loss of control and accidents.
Deep Creek Lake is a part of the designated off-road vehicle trail system permitting use by registered snowmobiles only. Permits are available by mail or at any of the local state park offices during normal business hours. Snowmobiles may operate at night if equipped with working head and taillights. Snowmobilers may access the lake through Deep Creek Lake State Park or with permission from a private landowner. For further information on ice conditions at Deep Creek Lake, call 301-387-5563 during the weekday or the Discovery Center on weekends at 301-387-7067.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
December 2009 Real Estate Sales Update - Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County, Maryland
There were a total of 29 residential sales in the month of December in Garrett County and at Deep Creek Lake. This pace is slightly ahead of last year (27 sales – Dec 2008).
This is certainly debatable, but 12 of these sales appear to vacation homes or 2nd homes, while the majority are primary residential. This certainly makes a difference in pricing strategies, specifically demand-based pricing.
The average list vs. ORIGINAL sales price is 84.49% (up slightly from November), though the ADJUSTED list vs. sales price is 90.96% of asking price (almost identical to November).
The current number of active/for sale residential listings is 602. 23 of these homes are under contract.
Here are the statistical breakdowns:
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Dennis Hannibal - Western Maryland Appraisals - Deep Creek Lake
I wanted to profile my good friend Dennis Hannibal, who is a local appraiser here in Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake. We had a great conversation about the real estate market the other day at my Railey Realty office. He is a wealth of information and I highly recommend him for all of your appraisal needs!
Dennis Hannibal
Western Maryland Appraisal Services
Mc Henry, Maryland (md)
301-387-7446
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Deep Creek Lake now at normal level
Cumberland Times-News
— Deep Creek Lake at normal level
MCHENRY — Deep Creek Hydropower is now operating within the rule band established by the Maryland Department of the Environment to retain Deep Creek Lake at its appropriate level.
Last month, MDE approved a request from Brookfield Renewable Power, the owner of Deep Creek Hydropower, to lower the water level to accommodate the winter’s record snow pack and subsequent melting.
Brookfield also brought in seven “ice eaters” to break up and remove ice and reduce ice pressure on the spillway. MDE and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources worked closely with Brookfield to monitor the situation.
The analysis of water content in the snow pack and the lower than expected rainfall has made spring flooding this year unlikely.
Lake levels are posted at www.deepcreekhydro.com.
