Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, Deep Creek Lake, marks its 95th Anniversary this year with a commemorative celebration August 13 – 16, 2020 with specials, events, discounts and more. The 95th Anniversary celebration, hosted by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, is sponsored by UPMC Western Maryland.
The celebration will be held from August 13 – 16, 2020 and will include discounts on shopping, dining, giveaway items, jet ski rentals, 95th anniversary merchandise, kayak rentals, ice cream, chocolate, IT packages and 95th anniversary merchandise. 95th Anniversary events from August 13 – 16, 2020 will include a Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours hosted by the Deep Creek Watershed at Dutch’s at Silver Tree, open house barbeque, Deep Creek Lake Appreciation Day at the Mt. Fresh Farmers Market with raffles, Official Deep Creek Lake Birthday Party and a Deep Creek Lake Book Signing. Full details on all of the specials and events are available in the 95th anniversary brochure available online at visitdeepcreek.com/pages/95thAnniversaryofDeepCreekLake.
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the official Birthday Party for Deep Creek Lake on Saturday, August 15, 2020 from noon – 5 pm at the Garrett County Visitors Center, located at 15 Visitors Center Drive McHenry, MD 21541. The public is welcome to attend this free event which will include a ceremony, Deep Creek Lake-themed birthday cake (while supplies last) and local author Ed King will be signing copies of his three books: “Famous Boats of Deep Creek Lake,”; “Deep Creek Lake: The Founders (Book 1)” and “I Love Deep Creek Lake: Another in a Series of Vignettes”. Face masks are required and capacity limitations will be in effect.
Additional sponsors of the 95th Anniversary of Deep Creek Lake include Gold Sponsor: Mountain Laurel Medical Center; Silver Sponsors: Budget Charters Inc.; Garrett County Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area; Property Owners’ Association of Deep Creek Lake; Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales; and Bronze Sponsor: MSC Management Services, LLC.
“The creation of Deep Creek Lake can probably be deemed the most transformational development to occur in Garrett County in the last Century,” said Nicole Christian, President & CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.
Deep Creek Lake is Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, covering 3,900 acres and 65 miles of shoreline. The man-made lake got its start in 1925 as the result of an effort undertaken by the Youghiogheny Hydro Electric Corporation to harness the power of Deep Creek, a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. Large swaths of land were purchased, a 1,300-foot-long impoundment dam was constructed to stem the flow of water in Deep Creek, and thousands of trees were removed from the area to be flooded. In addition, 15 miles of primary and secondary roads were relocated. With Deep Creek sealed off, the expectation was that at least six months would be required for the lake to fill. But, boosted by heavy rains and snowfall, the process took only a couple of months. On May 26, 1925, the hydroelectric plant kicked into service, with water from the lake transported to the powerhouse through a 7,000-foot tunnel.
As the years passed, the area’s fishing and boating prowess became well-known to visitors from Pennsylvania. Residents of the Baltimore/Washington population centers also found the area to be a convenient getaway place, especially after interstate highways were built. Among the last of these was I-68 – the national freeway – a major transportation route that arrived in 1991 and further opened up Western Maryland to tourism, commerce and more. Today, 1.4 million visitors each year take advantage of the limitless recreational options offered in and around the Deep Creek Lake area, creating their own Deep Creek Experience.
The physical transformation of Garrett County did not stop with the creation of the lake; it continued with the real estate and commercial development around the lake and throughout the County.
“Not only has the creation of Deep Creek Lake transformed Garrett County physically, but it has transformed the economy and quality of life of this community. It is widely recognized that the lake is an economic engine for Garrett County spurring growth in the tourism industry and generating millions in property tax revenue,” said Christian.
“Going back to the 1800s, Garrett County has always been a recreational destination,” Christian continues. “However, when the big hotels in Oakland, Deer Park, Mountain Lake Park and Loch Lynn began to disappear, Garrett County needed another major attraction. Deep Creek Lake is that attraction, drawing nearly half a million visitors here in the summer. It has also lured 2nd home owners, retirees and entrepreneurs who want to live on the lake and enjoy the quality of life Garrett County offers.”
Deep Creek Lake continues to shape the future development of Garrett County. For more details about Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County, MD, please log onto visitdeepcreek.com or contact the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce at 888.387.5237.
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is the largest professional business association in the region with 600 members representing every industry in the community. The mission of the Chamber is to organize, support and represent Garrett County’s business community in advancing common interests and, additionally, to promote Garrett County’s hospitality and recreation industry by attracting visitors to the county through comprehensive marketing. The Garrett County Chamber also serves as the Destination Marketing Organization and Heritage Area Management entity for the County.