The Deep Creek Blog

Save the Date for the Cabin Fever Fundraiser

The third annual “Cabin Fever Fundraiser” to benefit Friends of New Germany and Savage River Watershed Association will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Saturday March 27th at New Germany State Park.  The entrance fee covers an evening of homemade soups, breads and desserts, plus door prizes and live music by the Sugar Foot Stompers.  There will also be a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction where individuals can bid on a variety of fine items and services.     

Music for the Cabin Fever Fundraiser is being generously provided by the Sugar Foot Stompers.  This popular local band formed in 2007 to play traditional New Orleans style jazz.  They made their debut opening for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in a Garrett Lakes Arts Festival performance.  Steve Vortigern is the founder and leader of the Stompers.  He has a Masters degree in Jazz Studies.  Steve and his wife Sunshine moved from San Diego to Cranesville, WV to create and run an organic farm.  Gino Mauricci plays clarinet.  He is also concert master of the Garrett Community Concert Band and plays with The Remedy.  Gino has performed with such luminaries as Wynton Marsallis.  He and his wife Lisa live near McHenry.  On cornet and trumpet is Tom Simpson.  Tom is a well-known local talent who plays with other groups, including Queen City Funk & Soul.  He runs his computer business in Oakland, where he lives with his wife Pam.  Stephan Moylan, on banjo, is a public defender in Oakland.  He plays guitar and learned the banjo just for the band.  Stephan and his wife Kim live near Oakland.  Matt Eary, a computer programmer, plays bass.  In other milieus he sings, plays piano and French horn, and does some acting in local theatre.  Matt and his wife Lindy live near Grantsville.

Admission at the door is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 6 to 12 but if you buy your tickets in advance at Beachy’s Pharmacy in Grantsville or Red Ridge Auto in Frostburg you pay a discount price of $8 and $4 respectively.  The public is welcome to attend this event which will be held at the New Germany Lakehouse and Rec Hall.  In case of severe weather the event will be held on Sunday March 28th from noon to 3 pm.  For more information contact the Savage River Watershed Association at 301-689-7156 or srwacoordinator@gmail.com.

Friends of New Germany is a non-profit organization of local and state-wide persons interested in enhancing and preserving the beauty and quality of the recreational resources of New Germany State Park.  Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) is a group of local landowners and other citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River watershed, by assisting interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach.

2010 DCL Stream Wading with Friends of Deep Creek Lake

Stream Waders is a program run by DNR with the help of volunteers across the state. Under guidance by Trained Volunteer, they sample the streams for macro-invertebrates. The variety and quantity of these small creatures indicates the health of the stream. DNR scientists analyze the samples collected.

To become a stream wader volunteer, contact Friends of Deep Creek Lake at contact@friendsofdcl.org.  They will doing the sampling on week-ends from mid-April to early May, assuming the snow eventually melts.

To become a Trainer, sign up at streamwaders@dnr.state.md.us. The training will be held in Frostburg on Saturday March 13 from 8:30 to 3:30.

The Maryland Department of Environment has listed the Deep Creek Lake watershed as one of the top 5 priorities in the State. The data collected will be a part of a larger study MDE plans for the lake and streams in 2010.

Questions: Contact Barbara Beelar at barbara@friendsofdcl.org or 301-873-1519.

Lifeguards Wanted for State Park System

The Maryland State Park System is recruiting lifeguards to work from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day.  Current certifications required and the the job includes paid pre-season training.  Please call the parks below for more information:

Deep Creek Lake:  301-387-5563

Herrington Manor:  301-334-9180

New Germany:   301-895-5453

Herrington Manor Snow Report

Herrington Manor State Park Snow Report:  From the MD Park Service at 12:00 pm today. 

Forecast Temperature (ºF)     Low 18   High 27
Snow Conditions    Powder on packed base
Base   30-40"
New Snow   6 "
Last Snowfall  2/18/10
Grooming 0

Weather Forecast    TODAY: Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6:00 p.m. today 2 – 6 additional inches possible mixed with freezing drizzle.  Wind gusting to 28 mph, with blowing and drifting snow

Park Open    Daily, 8:00 A.M. – Sunset
Call the park for more information,
301-334-9180

Notes: 
And so it continues…!!
There is a service charge of $2 per vehicle in effect on weekends and holidays.  Out-of-state residents add $1.  With the additional snow accumulation some trails will be groomed prior to the weekend.
Ski, snowshoe and sled rentals are available at the Lake House or the park office if the Lake House is closed.
Rates are as follows:
Ski and snowshoe;  $13.00/half day (4 hours) & $15.00/full day (8 hours)
Sled rental; $3.00/ half day, $6.00/full day

DNR Advises Anglers of Poor Savage River Conditions

Fisheries Service closely monitoring the situation 
 
Annapolis, MD (February 8, 2010) –The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service is closely monitoring the fish population at the Savage River Reservoir during the repair of the outlet gates, which currently present a serious public safety concern.  The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reported draining of the Reservoir on January 31, to give contractors for the Upper Potomac River Commission (UPRC) access to the large gates, which are urgently in need of repair.
 
“The drawdown of the reservoir and disruptions to the system were unavoidable,” said Assistant Fisheries Director Don Cosden. “The DNR Fisheries Service is committed to restoring over time the reservoir fishery and the excellent tailwater trout fishery that anglers have enjoyed in the Savage River system over the years.”
 
As anticipated, the draining process has substantially impaired river conditions with the flow of accumulated sediment from the dam. During the drawdown process, fisheries personnel observed accumulations of organic and inorganic materials downstream.
 
Fish kill surveys in the Savage River Tailwater area have revealed a handful of dead shiners, sculpin, yellow perch and blue gills from the reservoir. While no dead trout have been observed at this time, it is expected that the high turbidity conditions will impact the trout population and the aquatic insects that are the base of the trout food chain.
 
DNR biologists will continue to assess these impacts as the weather and water conditions allow. Restoration plans in coordination with UPRC will follow and will likely include the use of high flows from the reservoir to clear sediment from important gravel and cobble bottoms, where tout spawn and invertebrate food sources hide. The agency may also restock brook trout and invertebrates from un-impacted areas upstream and plans to restock the reservoir as the appropriate fish become available from the state hatcheries.
 
The requirement to repair the gates came as a result of inspections in 2007, which uncovered the problems with the ageing gates. A $3.92 million grant under President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was awarded for the project.
 
The removal of the old gates and installation of new ones will occur throughout February and early March. Refilling of the reservoir is expected to start by mid-March after repairs are inspected and approved.
 
While the impacts to the fisheries are extremely unfortunate, the broken gates presented a serious public safety concern. The Maryland Department of the Environment’s Dam Safety Program ensures all dams in Maryland are designed, constructed, operated and maintained safely to prevent dam failures and the consequences of failure.
 
In June 2009 the Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Maryland Department of the Environment a $121.6 million to fund Maryland water quality and drinking water projects under President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA funding will enable construction of water infrastructure projects that are estimated to create hundreds of jobs, and that will protect public health, improve the environment, and help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland waterways.
 

Plan for State Trail Network in the Works

"Maryland Trails:  A Greener Way To Go" Outlines A Vision
To Connect More Than 800 Miles Of Transportation Trails In Maryland

Last week Governor Martin O'Malley announced the release of Maryland's first Statewide transportation trails plan - Maryland Trails:  A Greener Way to Go.  The goal of the Statewide transportation trails plan is to connect more than 800 miles of transportation trails into a cohesive trail network. 

The first key step to achieving this vision was to create an inventory of all existing and planned transportation trails in the State, from city- and county-managed trails to State-owned transportation trails.  The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) worked with a number of State and local agencies to collect geographic information system (GIS) maps to incorporate into one trails map.  These participants represent a wide-range of partners including:  Maryland Association of Counties, Maryland Municipal League, the Department of Business and Economic Development and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  As of today, this transportation trails inventory is accessible to residents and planners statewide on an interactive map, by clicking on the tab "Trails in Maryland" on MDOT's trails website: http://www.marylandtransportation.com/Planning/Trails/index.html. This map will continue to be developed to include data sets of DNR recreational trails and other updates.

New Germany State Park Snow Report

New Germany State Park Snow Report:  From the Maryland Park Service as of February 8, 2010

Snow Conditions:  Powder
Base:  30-36 inches
Groomed Trails:  0
Park Open:  8:00 am - Sunset
Call the park for more information,
301-895-5453

Note:  There is a service charge of $3 per person in effect on weekends and holidays.  Out-of-state residents add $1. 
Road conditions and trails may be hazardous due to heavy snow accumulation.
Trails are scheduled to be groomed today and throughout the week.
Rentals and Lessons available at the Rec Hall and provided by:
Allegany Expeditions
Hours:  8:30 a.m. – 5:00 P.M.  Sat., Sun. & Holidays, or by appointment. 
Service is snow dependent; please call to confirm hours before your visit.
Telephone:  301-722-5170;   Email: alleganyexpinc@yahoo.com

DNR Announces 2010 Trout Stocking Schedule for Spring Season

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin stocking approximately 326,000 rainbow and brown trout into freshwaters across the state for spring trout fishing enthusiasts in early February depending on the weather, stream and ground conditions.

The stocking schedule table is now online (www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/) and will also be available at DNR Regional Service Centers and license vendors by late January.

DNR’s Fisheries Service encourages anglers to check out the Google Map of stocked streams to get directions and more info on trout fishing locations. Stockings listed on the schedule as pre-season usually start in the eastern part of the State in early February followed by western region stocking as things warm up. Watch our Web site or call 1-800-688-3467 for updates.

DNR’s Fisheries Service also reminds anglers to clean and dry their gear between streams and outings in order to protect our fish populations and keep their habitat healthy. The recent discovery of the invasive algae didymo, which can make it difficult to fish while choking off key food sources for trout, on the lower Savage River illustrates how easily troublesome organisms can be moved between watersheds. The continued presence of didymo in the Gunpowder Falls catch and return area and the presence of whirling disease in trout in the Barnum area of the North Branch of the Potomac River make it imperative that we be more diligent than ever.

A good scrubbing with dish soap or a 5 percent salt solution is an easy way to prevent the spread of these invaders. DNR asks anglers to use the convenient wader wash stations recently installed at several key wild trout areas including the Gunpowder River, Savage River, the North Branch of the Potomac (Barnum area), and Big Hunting Creek.

Maryland BPW Approves Preservation of Forests Along Scenic River Corridor

Governor O’Malley announced yesterday the Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of the acquisition of a 41-acre parcel in Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River Corridor in Garrett County. This property will provide a connecting point between the Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River Corridor and the State-owned property of Deep Creek Lake at the dam.

The shortage of access points along the river corridor presents challenges for public entry and recreation, complicates important maintenance tasks, and impedes progress of rescue teams and emergency vehicles.

The sale is made possible through a negotiated discount between the owners and the state. Funds in the amount of $609,000 were approved by the BPW and are provided through Program Open Space.

Savage River Watershed Association to Host Statewide Fisheries Biologist as Guest Speaker

The Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) will hold its bi-monthly meeting on January 21, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Route 40 Elementary School. Each meeting brings local citizens and SRWA members together to talk about issues within the watershed.  The guest speaker for this meeting will be Alan Heft, a Statewide Fisheries Biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Inland Fisheries Management Division. 

Mr. Heft will discuss results of a 2009 water temperature monitoring project that was conducted throughout the Savage River watershed, and how this relates to the Brook Trout Barrier Removal Project being planned in the Savage River headwaters. His presentation will be followed by a question and answer session about resources of the Savage River watershed. Mr. Heft graduated from Frostburg State University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management, and he has been working in the DNR, Fisheries Division for 22 years. His responsibilities with DNR include statewide coldwater fisheries research and management.

Mr. Heft will be accompanied by Matt Sell, a Western Region Biologist and brook trout specialist. Mr. Sell graduated from Frostburg State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. Mr. Sell has extensive experience sampling stream fishes with the University of Maryland, and the Maryland DNR, Biological Stream Survey.  His current responsibilities include conducting Western Region fishery activities and assisting Mr. Heft with brook trout management efforts.

SRWA is a group of local landowners and other citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River watershed.  Members assist interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach.  Anyone who is concerned about the Savage River watershed is invited to join.  SRWA meetings are held at Route 40 Elementary School, 17764 National Pike, just west of Frostburg, on the third Thursday of odd numbered months, beginning at 7 p.m.  For more information, persons may contact SRWA via email at SRWAdirector@gmail.com, or SRWAcoordinator@gmail.com,or by phone at 301-689-7156.  The SRWA is a nonprofit charitable organization.  Donations may be sent to: Savage River Watershed Association, PO Box 355, Frostburg, MD 21532.

Take a Tweethike with MDtrails

If you're interested in learning more about places to hike, bike, paddle, ski, snowshoe..well just about any outdoor activity that involves a trail, you'll want to visit MDtrails.com  Created by Leo Edmiston-Cyr, MD Trails is an interactive website devoted to providing comprehensive information regarding all trails in Maryland. 

The site offers some interesting ways to get trail information, including the use of social media along with visitor participation and contribution.  Below are some of the features the site offers. 

Tweethikes -  Tweethikes allow you to follow hikes in real time via Twitter as contributors make their way along a trail.  The Tweethike provides useful information for anyone planning to visit the trail in the future.  Even if you're not planning an imminent hike, they still make for an interesting read.   To find a Garrett County trail, visit the "Tags" link and look for "Garrett County".  You'll find aTweethike up on the Meadow Mountain Trail at the Deep Creek Lake State Park as well as Lostland and New Germany State Park.

Trailvoice allows individuals to "adopt" a trail - that is contribute information and keeping information on the site current regarding the trail. 

Trail Talk allows the end user to participate by providing details from their own experiences out on the Maryland trails.

Featured Trail gives businesses an opportunity to sponsor a trail that they are on or nearby.  The business will be featured on the sites trail map, gaining great exposure with folks passing through the area.

Take some time to visit www.mdtrails.com before you set out on your next adventure. 

Deer Firearm Season Opens November 28

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)  announced the two-week deer firearm season opens statewide on Saturday, November 28. This popular season is a Maryland tradition for deer hunters with nearly half of the annual deer harvest taken during this period.

“The two-week deer firearm season is the main event for many Maryland hunters”, said DNR Deer Project Leader Brian Eyler. “Deer hunters look forward to sharing time with family and friends in the woods and having venison on the table. The sizeable harvest we expect during the hunt is also a critical part of DNR’s deer management program and will help reduce deer-related conflicts and habitat damage.”

Deer hunting regulations vary between the two Deer Management Regions in Maryland. Region A consists of Garrett and Allegany counties and Region B includes the remainder of the state.

Complete bag limits, season dates and other deer hunting information can be found by visiting www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide. The 2009-2010 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping is issued with each hunting license and contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting seasons and regulations.

Hunters are urged to inspect any permanent and portable tree stands before using them. Harness style safety belts should be used while climbing into or out of a tree stand, as well as while in the stand. Hunters are also reminded to always exercise the fundamental commandments of firearms safety.

Deer hunting provides outdoor recreation for over 68,000 Marylanders and contributes more than $150 million to the state’s economy each year.

Savage River Watershed Association Awarded Grant Funding

The Savage River Watershed Association has recently been awarded $120,000 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund the removal of an impoundment that is a barrier to fish passage in the Savage River headwaters. The impoundment is one of several reservoirs constructed to supply the town of Frostburg with drinking water but it has been decommissioned and a series of wells has been installed at the site to supplement water previously supplied by the reservoir. Although the reservoir is no longer needed, the dam remains in place, restricting fish passage and providing a source for increased stream temperature in the Savage River headwaters. The dam restricts fish migration from the downstream Savage River watershed to the upper 2.5 miles of the Savage River extending to the Finzel Swamp headwater wetland complex owned by The Nature Conservancy. Restoring the natural stream channel of the Savage River will link critical habitat for brook trout populations.

The project will restore a 1,000 foot section of stream channel and create a one acre wetland where the pond currently is. The Canaan Valley Institute has been contracted to design the project. The plan will reroute the stream around the current reservoir utilizing portions of abandoned stream channel where possible, and converting the reservoir into a wetland. The proposed plan will avoid releasing the accumulated sediment from the reservoir downstream once the dam is breached and provides immediate canopy cover, keeping stream temperatures low. Creation of the one acre wetland will also improve habitat for additional plant and animal species while filtering sediment and nutrients from runoff. The project will demonstrate how an impoundment is removed and what the benefits are for fish and water quality in the Savage River Headwaters.

Executive Director Laura Haynes is the project manager for the Savage River Watershed Association. For more information about the project please contact Laura at 301-245-4599 or via email at srwadirector@gmail.com. The Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) is a group of local landowners and other citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River watershed. Members hope to assist interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach. Everyone who is concerned about the Savage River watershed is invited to join. SRWA monthly meetings are held at Route 40 Elementary School. The school is located at 17764 National Pike a few miles west of Frostburg in Garrett County. For more information contact Laura Haynes at 301-245-4599, or srwadirector@gmail.com, or Shannon Philbin at 301-689-7156 or srwacoordinator@gmail.com.

Laura Haynes (left), Executive Director of the Savage River Watershed Association, and Jennifer Newland (right) of Canaan Valley Institute with Mike Slattery (center) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation at the awards ceremony held on September 14, 2009, in Annapolis, MD.  The Savage River Watershed Association was awarded $120,000 of the more than $2.8 million in grants awarded to fund 32 environmental projects.  

That's a Big Bear!

I, er... I mean my daughter, just finished a diorama about the black bear for a school project.   I did not share this article with her, as I don't want to give her nightmares.   Yikes, look at that bear!   _______________________________________________________________________________________

Black Bear Activity Increases in the Fall

The Maryland DNR reminds Marylanders that cooling temperatures will encourage black bears to begin a period of increased feeding activity prior to hibernation. During this time, bears may be attracted to human-provided food sources such as trash, pet food and birdfeeders. Bears exploiting human-provided food may lose their natural fear of people, potentially leading to encounters and conflicts.

“The best way to avoid problems is to keep your trash, birdseed and pet food in a place where bears can’t get to it,” said DNR Game Mammal Section Leader Harry Spiker. “Taking preventative steps now will help reduce potential bear problems in the future.”

Bears may travel many miles searching for food in the Fall. Motorists traveling in Maryland’s western counties are reminded to watch for bears crossing roads, especially during October and November. Also, citizens should delay feeding songbirds until the winter months to avoid attracting bears. Bears in Maryland will begin entering dens in mid-November and most are denned by mid-December.

To learn more about Maryland’s black bears, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov and click on the Wildlife and Heritage Service link or contact a Wildlife and Heritage Service staff person in the western region at 301-777-2136 or statewide at 410-260-8540.