Lake Roland Dam and Gatehouse

 

In 1861 Baltimore's first municipal water supply, Lake Roland, was put into operation. Work had begun on the brick and limestone dam in 1858 as part of the three-reservoir system. The water tunnels were controlled from a Greek Revival gatehouse. The 50 years it was in operation were plagued with problems. The water supplied by Jones Falls was never as abundant as expected. Soil erosion and watershed pollutants were not considered in construction and may have been responsible for the outbreak of typhoid in the city in the late 1800's. In 1911 the reservoir tested the effectiveness of chlorine in public water supplies, one of the first facilities to do so. In 1915 Lake Roland was taken off line. It was neglected and severely deteriorated until the 1980's when the Recreation and Parks Department took it over. The dam and the gatehouse were completely restored with new materials matched to preserve its historic appearance. The surrounding area has been re-landscaped in to a public park. On June 13, 1994 the lake was refilled.

 

Facts and Figures

Directions
Cost to excavate: $112,000

Cost to build: $152,000

225 ft above mean tide

Width: 60 ft,

Height: 40 ft
  • From the I-83 take the Northern Pkwy. exit (exit 10).
  • Turn left onto Falls Rd.
  • Just before the Falls Rd. Bridge turn right.
  • The road will lead into the park and end at the lake

Map

 

References:

Historic Civil Engineering Landmark nomination form