WHEATON, MD—Construction began on Pine Lake in Wheaton Regional Park at the beginning of this year, however permitting delays and periodic rain events have pushed the anticipated completion date of this project back to later this summer.
“The original schedule anticipated the construction phase of the project to be complete in late spring,” said Department of Parks Project Manager Andy Frank.
The Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection began this major rehabilitation of Pine Lake in late February, which includes installing new outlet structures, improving dam safety and stormwater management control, along with dredging sediment accumulated within the lake to improve water quality and aquatic habitat.
“We are working closely with our contractor to ensure this project is completed as quickly as possible without compromising quality results,” said Department of Environmental Protection Senior Engineer Gene Gopenko.
Pine Lake remains closed to public access, with fencing and signage up around the lake. Constructed in the early 1960s, Pine Lake has never previously been dredged and this is the first major rehabilitation of the lake since its initial construction. The 5-acre Pine Lake provides significant recreational opportunities to park users, such as fishing, bird watching, picnicking and hiking along the nearby park trails. The lake also offers water quality benefits to the tributary stream of the Northwest Branch.
“We know park patrons will be eager to get back to Pine Lake later this summer and we are working with our partner DEP in earnest to finish this important work,” added Frank.
The other two premier lakes in the Montgomery County parks system—Lake Needwood at Rock Creek Regional Park and Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park—opened for the season, May 3. Both offer fishing and boat rentals. For more on opportunities at Lake Needwood and Little Seneca Lake visit www.LakeNeedwoodBoats.com and www.BlackHillBoats.com.
# # #
Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866