Rocky Gorge Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rocky Gorge Reservoir |
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 Rocky Gorge Reservoir
Location in Maryland
Rocky Gorge Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Burtonsville, Maryland Laurel, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°07′29″N 76°54′22″W / 39.124667°N 76.906099°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Patuxent River |
| Primary outflows | Patuxent River |
| Catchment area | 132 sq mi (340 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 773 acres (313 ha) |
| Average depth | 74 ft (23 m) |
| Water volume | 5,500,000,000 US gal (0.021 km3) |
The Rocky Gorge Reservoir is a large, man-made lake in Maryland, USA. It was built to store drinking water for many homes and businesses. This reservoir is located on the Patuxent River, which flows through parts of Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County.
You can find the reservoir between the towns of Laurel and Burtonsville, Maryland. It was created in 1952 when the T. Howard Duckett Dam was built across the Patuxent River. Sometimes, people call it the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir because of the dam's name. The reservoir covers about 773 acres (3.13 square kilometers) of land.
Contents
What is Rocky Gorge Reservoir?
The Rocky Gorge Reservoir is a very important place. It holds a huge amount of water that is cleaned and then sent to people's homes. This water is used for drinking, cooking, and bathing every day. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is the group that manages the reservoir. They make sure the water is safe to drink.
How Was Rocky Gorge Reservoir Made?
The reservoir was created by building a large wall, called a dam, across the Patuxent River. This dam, named the T. Howard Duckett Dam, stops the river's flow and causes the water to back up, forming the large lake we see today. You can even see the dam from Interstate 95 if you are driving near mile marker 34.
Fun Things to Do at Rocky Gorge
The WSSC also makes sure that people can enjoy the natural beauty around the reservoir. They have created special areas for fun outdoor activities. You can go hiking on trails, have a picnic with your family, or try fishing in the water.
Boating is also allowed on certain parts of the reservoir. If you like horses, there are places for horseback riding. Some areas are even open for hunting during specific seasons. The reservoir is home to different kinds of fish, like pike and largemouth bass, which are popular for fishing.
Who Was T. Howard Duckett?
The T. Howard Duckett Dam, and sometimes the reservoir itself, is named after a very important person. T. Howard Duckett was a key figure in creating the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). He helped write the law that officially started WSSC as a permanent organization. This law was passed and became effective on May 1, 1918. After the law was passed, T. Howard Duckett was chosen as one of the first three official commissioners for WSSC.
