The Only US State Without A Single Natural Lake

When it comes to natural lakes, many states in the US boast numerous pristine bodies of water, often formed by glaciers or tectonic activity. Maryland, however, is an exception. Despite its abundant rivers and streams, Maryland is the ONLY state in the US that has no natural lakes.

Instead, all of its lakes are manmade, created by damming rivers to serve various purposes. The question is: why does Maryland lack these natural bodies of water, and what role do its rivers and ponds play in filling that gap? Let’s explore the state’s unique landscape, the reasons behind its lack of natural lakes, and how its artificial lakes and reservoirs serve the state today.

Does Maryland Have Any Natural Lakes?

The short answer is no—Maryland has no natural lakes. While it may be surprising to some, given the state’s reputation for rivers like the Potomac and the Susquehanna, all of Maryland’s lakes are manmade. These reservoirs were built for purposes such as water supply, recreation, and flood control.

Some of Maryland’s most famous lakes, like Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County and Lake Habeeb in Allegany County, are technically artificial lakes, formed by human intervention rather than natural geological processes.

The Historic Presence of Natural Lakes in Maryland

While Maryland has no natural lakes today, there is evidence that the state may have had them in the distant past. One well-documented example is Buckel’s Bog, a shallow periglacial lake that existed during the late Pleistocene era, roughly 14,000 to 19,000 years ago. Located in Garrett County, in the headwater region of the North Branch of the Casselman River, Buckel’s Bog covered around 160 acres. Today, the lake is long gone, and only pollen evidence remains to indicate that it once existed.

This glade-like formation, which may have functioned as a type of lake, was likely a result of the climatic conditions of the time. However, this was likely the last natural lake in Maryland, and no others have been identified in the state’s history. This absence of naturally occurring lakes has a lot to do with Maryland’s geological history.

Why Doesn’t Maryland Have Natural Lakes?

The lack of natural lakes in Maryland is primarily due to the state's geological past and its location in relation to the last Ice Age. While glaciers were responsible for the formation of many of the lakes in the northern US, Maryland was largely spared from the significant glaciation that affected much of the Northeast and Midwest.

Glacial Lakes: A Key to Understanding the Lack

Glaciers are responsible for about 74% of all natural lakes in the US. Glacial activity carves out depressions in the landscape, which fill with water after the glaciers retreat. These depressions, called kettles, form the basis for many lakes, particularly in areas that were heavily impacted by ice sheets during the Ice Age. However, Maryland was not covered by glaciers during the last Great Ice Age, which ended around 12,000 years ago. As a result, it lacks the depressions and formations that typically lead to the creation of natural lakes.

In contrast, other parts of the US, like the Great Lakes region and parts of New England, were heavily shaped by glaciation. In those areas, massive ice sheets gouged out the earth, creating large basins that filled with water, eventually becoming natural lakes. Maryland, situated south of the last ice sheet’s reach, was not subjected to this glacial shaping, which explains why the state has no natural lakes.

The Geological Make-up of Maryland

The state's varied topography also plays a role. Maryland is divided into several geological regions, including the Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Plateau, and Coastal Plain. These regions have features that are not conducive to the formation of natural lakes. Most lakes form in areas with large depressions—often created by glaciation or tectonic shifts. Maryland’s topography lacks the kind of large, deep depressions found in glacial regions. Instead, the state is defined by rivers, ridges, and plateaus, where the natural landscape does not provide the conditions needed for the formation of lakes.

Other Geological Events: Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity, and Landslides

In addition to glaciation, natural lakes can also form due to tectonic movements, volcanic activity, or landslides that block rivers. Maryland, however, has not experienced significant volcanic activity, major earthquakes, or landslides on a scale large enough to create the conditions for natural lakes. Consequently, there are no natural lakes formed by these geological events either.

The Role of Manmade Lakes and Reservoirs

Since natural lakes never took hold in Maryland, the state has instead created artificial lakes and reservoirs. These bodies of water serve various functions, from water supply to recreational activities. Maryland’s reservoirs, though technically manmade, are often referred to as lakes, depending on their use.

If the primary function of the body of water is recreation, it is typically called a lake (Deep Creek Lake, Greenbrier Lake, and Lake Linganore). If the primary purpose is water supply, hydroelectric power, or flood control, it is usually called a reservoir (Prettyboy Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, and Triadelphia Reservoir).

Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake is the largest artificial lake in Maryland, covering nearly 4,000 acres. This manmade lake was created in the 1920s by the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Youghiogheny River. Today, Deep Creek Lake serves as both a power source for the region’s electrical grid and a popular spot for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking. Despite being manmade, it is the closest thing Maryland has to a large, natural lake.

Loch Raven Reservoir

Loch Raven Reservoir, located in Baltimore County, was created to provide drinking water to the city of Baltimore. The reservoir was constructed in the early 1900s by damming the Gunpowder River. Today, it continues to serve as a critical water supply, but it is also a recreational site for locals, offering hiking trails, birdwatching, and fishing. Like many of Maryland's other reservoirs, its primary function is water supply, which is why it is officially considered a reservoir rather than a lake.

Other Reservoirs and Smaller Lakes

Maryland is home to many smaller reservoirs and artificial lakes, some of which are used primarily for water supply and others for recreational purposes. For example, Prettyboy Reservoir and Triadelphia Reservoir are both used for water supply, while smaller lakes like Lake Waterford in Pasadena offer spaces for fishing and boating. Many of these reservoirs and lakes were created during the 20th century and continue to serve important roles in Maryland’s infrastructure.

Conclusion

Although Maryland is the only state without a single natural lake, it more than makes up for this by offering a variety of manmade lakes and reservoirs that provide both practical and recreational benefits. The state’s rivers are also vital to its identity, contributing to the region’s history and ecology. The absence of natural lakes can be traced back to Maryland’s geological history, which lacked the glacial activity and other geological forces that shape natural lakes.

In the end, Maryland’s lakes, though artificial, still offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and serve important functions for water supply and flood control. The state may not have the natural lakes you might expect, but its rivers, reservoirs, and artificial lakes form a unique and vibrant water system that defines the Old Line State. Whether for power generation, water supply, or leisure, these bodies of water continue to shape the state’s landscape and provide a wealth of resources for its residents.