druid lake mayor

The project

To help secure the City’s water supply, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works is covering a section of Druid Lake and installing two huge underground water tanks. The project started in 2017, and the cost of the project is approximately $140 million. 

The tanks – one 500 feet in diameter and the other 450 feet in diameter – will each be just over 20 feet tall and hold 52 million gallons of water combined. They will be buried underground and topped with landscaped green space at the western edge of the lake. The 500-foot wide tank is the largest of its kind in the world. New piping will connect the tanks to the existing water system.

Most of Druid Lake will remain for visitors to enjoy, although it will be a bit smaller than before. Lake water will be aerated to keep it fresh. Instead of holding drinking water, the lake will contain mostly stormwater runoff from Druid Hill Park.

Questions may be directed to the Communications and Community Affairs Division. 

Visiting Druid Lake during the project

Visitors to Druid Lake will notice construction fencing along the western part of the reservoir. The loop road section in this area is also closed. Tree protection, erosion and sediment controls are also in place to reduce the impact of construction on the local environment.

If you enjoy running or walking at Druid Lake, an alternate running and jogging route is posted in Druid Hill Park north of the lake. You may also enjoy visiting Lake Ashburton in Hanlon Park, or Lake Montebello just off of East 33rd Street and Hillen Road for running, walking, and biking. 

Why this project is needed

Federal regulations require that filtered and treated drinking water reservoirs or storage sites must be either covered or receive additional treatment (Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations LT2ESWTR). Covered storage is preferred as a long-term solution for maintaining water quality.

Aerial image of Druid Lake taken in September 2018.

DPW has completed other covered reservoir projects: 

  • Towson
  • Montebello II
  • Pikesville

Guilford Reservoir and Lake Ashburton are currently under construction. 

Improving Druid Hill Park and Druid Lake

Druid Lake was designed not only to support the City’s water supply but to enhance enjoyment of Druid Hill Park. The project will ensure that the lake remains for visitors to enjoy well into the future.

Planned improvements

  • A new curved shoreline
  • A welcome area on top of the new tanks, adding 14 additional acres of usable park space and green areas
  • Attractive landscaping to beautify the park and manage stormwater
  • New site lighting
  • New, wider promenade
  • New lake path for walking, running and biking
  • New amphitheater
  • Maintenance of lake water levels and a lake aeration system for water quality
Rendering showing Druid Lake at the completion of the project.

Mature trees around the lake are carefully protected during construction, along with the monuments, pavilions, and statues. Tsunami Memorial Trees will be relocated in the park.