Announcement!
The Druid Lake Tank Quarterly meeting (WC1204) was held on Tuesday, September 3. DPW provided updates on completing the site restoration at Druid Hill Lake.In addition, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks officials have presented their plan for future improvements to the park. - View the September 3, 2024, DPW Presentation - View the June 4, 2024, DPW Presentation - View the June 4,2024, BCRP Presentation Next Meeting: WC 1204 Druid Hill Tank Project Quarterly Meeting |
Status Updates
June 26, 2024 At the June 4 Druid Hill quarterly meeting, there was concern about access to the Linden and Druid Park Drive crossing. The crossing is currently open! The final paving is on the way, but the community can still enter the park/walkway with this access.”
May 15, 2024 The Board of Estimates (BOE) has approved the Baltimore City Department of Public Works' (DPW) contract extension to support the continued review and inspection of the underground water tanks installed at Druid Lake. This post-award services contract is with Whitman, Requardt & Associates (WRA), the engineering firm responsible for the design of the underground tanks at Druid Lake. Under the contract extension, WRA will continue efforts to ensure that the underground water tanks are functioning according to design specifications. This contract extension request does not impact DPW’s ongoing site restoration work at the park, and current plans to complete the work. DPW anticipates completing its remaining site restoration work by late-fall/early-winter 2024. Remaining site work includes restoring access to the trails and pathways around the lake for recreational purposes. June 28, 2024 Stay tuned for updates! BOE, the City’s spending board, considered the contract amendment at its June 26, 2024 meeting. |
What’s Happening at Druid Lake
As of December 21, 2023, work to cover the remaining open-air reservoirs at Druid Lake is complete. The conclusion of open-air reservoirs provides an added layer to protect the region's water supply. As a result, the precautionary advisory for immunocompromised residents is no longer in effect. The City has satisfied the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent Mandate. For more information on this project, take a moment to read the latest press release. The tanks – one 550 feet in diameter and the second 400 feet in diameter – will each be just over 20 feet tall and hold 46 million gallons of water combined. They will be buried underground and topped with landscaped green space in the western edge of the lake. The 550-foot-wide tank will be the largest of its kind in the world. The lake is remaining in service for recreational purposes “only.” No drinking water is stored in the Druid Lake. The lake will become a recreational amenity. Water will be aerated to keep it fresh, though instead of being drinking water, it will be mostly stormwater runoff from Druid Park. A potable water line is included in the contract and will provide water to the lake when needed. |
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.
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
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.
Two buried water storage tanks are being installed:
- Together these will hold 52 million gallons of water.
- New piping will connect the tanks to the existing system.
- The cost is approximately $140 million.
- Based on the current status, the project would be complete by Fall 2023.
Park and Lake Enhancements
Druid Lake was designed not only to support the City’s water supply but to enhance the public’s enjoyment of Druid Hill Park. The project will ensure that the lake remains a public recreational asset for generations to come.
Improvements will include:
- A new curvilinear shoreline to mimic the current shoreline.
- A new open, welcoming area on top of new tanks, creating an additional 14 acres of usable park space
- Landscaping to complement the park and manage stormwater
- New site lighting and a new, wider promenade
- New path near lake edge for pedestrians and cyclists
- New amphitheater
- Maintenance of lake level and provision of lake aeration system to assure water quality.
Mature trees around the lake will be well-protected during construction, along with the monuments, pavilions, and statues. The Tsunami Memorial Trees will be relocated in the park.
DPW will be providing additional information on this website as the Druid Lake Project progresses.