Druid Lake Tanks

Druid Hill

Status Update: May 15, 2024

The Board of Estimates (BOE)  has approved  the Baltimore City Department of Public Works' (DPW)  contract extension to support the continued review and inspection of the underground water tanks installed at Druid Lake. This post-award services contract is with Whitman, Requardt & Associates (WRA), the engineering firm responsible for the design of the underground tanks at Druid Lake. Under the contract extension, WRA will continue efforts to ensure that the underground water tanks are functioning according to design specifications.  This contract extension request does not impact DPW’s ongoing site restoration work at the park, and current plans to complete the work. DPW anticipates completing its remaining site restoration work by late-fall/early-winter 2024. Remaining site work includes restoring access to the trails and pathways around the lake for recreational purposes.

BOE, the City’s spending board, considered the contract amendment at its May 15, 2024, meeting.

What’s Happening at Druid Lake

As of December 21, 2023, work to cover the remaining open-air reservoirs at Druid Lake is complete. The conclusion of open-air reservoirs provides an added layer to protect the region's water supply. As a result, the precautionary advisory for immunocompromised residents is no longer in effect. The City has satisfied the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent Mandate. For more information on this project, take a moment to read the latest press release.
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The tanks – one 550 feet in diameter and the second 400 feet in diameter – will each be just over 20 feet tall and hold 46 million gallons of water combined. They will be buried underground and topped with landscaped green space in the western edge of the lake. The 550-foot-wide tank will be the largest of its kind in the world.

The lake is remaining in service for recreational purposes “only.” No drinking water is stored in the Druid Lake.

The lake will become a recreational amenity. Water will be aerated to keep it fresh, though instead of being drinking water, it will be mostly stormwater runoff from Druid Park. A potable water line is included in the contract and will provide water to the lake when needed.

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To help secure the City’s water supply, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works is covering a considerable portion Druid Lake and installing two huge underground water tanks.

Druid Lake holds filtered and treated water that is ready to be sent to consumers. To protect this drinking water supply, two covered storage tanks, holding more than 50 million gallons of drinking water, will be constructed underground on the western end of the lake. This will mean a slightly smaller Druid Lake, but ultimately an enhanced Druid Hill Park.

Visitors to Druid Lake will notice fencing erected along the western portion of the reservoir, closing that portion of the loop road. In addition, tree protection and erosion and sediment controls are also being put in place.

An alternate running and jogging location is posted in Druid Hill Park north of the lake. Those who still wish for the experience of walking, running or biking around a lake may wish to visit nearby Lake Ashburton in Hanlon Park, or Lake Montebello just off of East 33rd Street and Hillen Road.

Why Are These Changes Needed  

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Federal regulations require that finished drinking water must be either covered or receive additional treatment (Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations LT2ESWTR). Covered storage is preferred as a long-term solution for maintaining water quality.

DPW has recently completed other covered reservoir projects include Towson, Montebello II, and Pikesville. Guilford Reservoir is currently under construction, and Lake Ashburton will soon be, also.

Druid Lake Project Details 

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Two buried water storage tanks are being installed:

  • Together these will hold 52 million gallons of water.
  • New piping will connect the tanks to the existing system.
  • The cost is approximately $140 million.
  • Based on the current status, the project would be complete by Fall 2023.

Park and Lake Enhancements

Druid Lake was designed not only to support the City’s water supply but to enhance the public’s enjoyment of Druid Hill Park. The project will ensure that the lake remains a public recreational asset for generations to come. 

Improvements will include:

  • A new curvilinear shoreline to mimic the current shoreline.
  • A new open, welcoming area on top of new tanks, creating an additional 14 acres of usable park space  
  • Landscaping to complement the park and manage stormwater
  • New site lighting and a new, wider promenade
  • New path near lake edge for pedestrians and cyclists
  • New amphitheater
  • Maintenance of lake level and provision of lake aeration system to assure water quality.

Mature trees around the lake will be well-protected during construction, along with the monuments, pavilions, and statues. The Tsunami Memorial Trees will be relocated in the park.

DPW will be providing additional information on this website as the Druid Lake Project progresses.