Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake is a man-made reservoir in Garrett County, Maryland, near the town of McHenry. It has about 3,600 to 3,900 acres of water, depending on the source, and a shoreline of about 69 miles. It suits boaters, anglers, swimmers in summer, and ice anglers in winter. The one thing to check before you go is the lake level, which the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the operator, Brookfield Renewable, adjust through the year, and a dredging project at Arrowhead Cove was under way as of October 14, 2026.
Should you go to Deep Creek Lake today?
Good day to go
- Light wind, up to 5 mph.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Tue 20Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 2 mph
- Thu 22Cool for the water, up to 60°F
- Fri 23Cool for the water, up to 58°F
- Sat 24Cool for the water, up to 55°F
Weather at Deep Creek Lake, today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 am | Sunny | 33°F | E 1 mph | 0% |
| 10 am | Sunny | 48°F | 0 mph | 0% |
| 12 pm | Sunny | 57°F | NE 2 mph | 0% |
| 2 pm | Sunny | 61°F | N 5 mph | 0% |
| 4 pm | Sunny | 61°F | N 5 mph | 0% |
| 6 pm | Clear | 56°F | N 1 mph | 0% |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 7:31 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:33 pm |
| Question visitors ask | What is the current water level of Deep Creek Lake? |
|---|---|
| County | Garrett County |
| Official site | www.garrettcountymd.gov |
Where is Deep Creek Lake and how do you get there?
Deep Creek Lake is in Garrett County, Maryland, with the town of McHenry as its main settlement. The Deep Creek Dam sits about 8 miles north of Oakland, Maryland. Deep Creek Lake State Park provides public access on the northeast side of the lake. The nearby Wisp Resort is a well-known ski area in the same area.
This source does not give driving directions or parking details for the state park, so check the DNR park page before you go.
Who manages Deep Creek Lake and is it free to visit?
The State of Maryland, through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), manages Deep Creek Lake. The state bought the lake in 2000 from the Pennsylvania Electric Company. The lake level is operated by Brookfield Renewable, which is the operator noted in the attraction record.
The attraction record lists entry to Deep Creek Lake as free. Check before you go, because fees for the state park or related facilities may change.
What is the current water level of Deep Creek Lake?
The attraction record reports that as of October 14, 2026 at 10:00, the lake surface was at an elevation of 2460.39 feet (NAVD88), and the water temperature was 62.78 degrees Fahrenheit. This reading was relayed from Brookfield Renewable through Garrett County.
The lake level changes with water releases and season. Check the current reading with Brookfield Renewable or Garrett County before you plan a trip, especially for boat launching.
When is the best time to visit Deep Creek Lake?
The attraction record lists Deep Creek Lake as open all year. Boating and swimming are the main summer activities, and ice fishing is the main winter activity. Fall is the time of year when the lake is at its lower October level, and a dredging project at Arrowhead Cove was under way in October 2026.
Weather and water conditions change by season. Check before you go for current access, boat launch conditions and water quality at the beaches.
Deep Creek Lake: questions visitors ask
What is the current water level of Deep Creek Lake?
The attraction record reports an elevation of 2460.39 feet (NAVD88) on October 14, 2026 at 10:00, relayed from Brookfield Renewable through Garrett County. Check the current reading before you go, because the level changes.
How big is Deep Creek Lake?
Wikipedia lists a surface area of 3,628 acres in the infobox and about 3,900 acres in the article text, and a shoreline of about 69 miles. The maximum depth is 75 feet, and the volume is 106,000 acre-feet.
Is there a fee to visit Deep Creek Lake?
The attraction record lists entry to Deep Creek Lake as free. Check before you go with the Maryland DNR, because park fees or boat launch fees may apply.
What fish can you catch in Deep Creek Lake?
Anglers commonly catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, northern pike, muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch, chain pickerel, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and common carp. Check Maryland fishing rules before you go.
Is Deep Creek Lake open in winter?
The attraction record lists the lake as open all year, with ice fishing in winter. Ice conditions change, so check before you go.
Who built Deep Creek Lake?
Deep Creek Lake is an artificial reservoir created by a hydroelectric project on Deep Creek in the 1920s. Construction of the Deep Creek Dam began in 1923 and was completed in 1925, and the plant began operating on May 26, 1925.
News about Deep Creek Lake
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