Watershed Management

A watershed is the land area where all rain, melting snow, and runoff drain downhill to the same place such as a stream, river, lake, or reservoir.

No matter where you live, work, or recreate, you are always in a watershed. Water flowing off rooftops, roads, yards, farms, and forests all moves through the watershed before reaching local streams and eventually larger rivers.

What happens on the land directly affects the quality of the water downstream.

Garrett County has two major watersheds – the Youghiogheny and the North Branch Potomac River watersheds.

Explore the watersheds of Garrett County with this map available on the Garrett County Public GIS portal. 

Why Watersheds Matter to Residents and Visitors

Understanding watersheds helps people see how individual actions can affect:

  • Drinking water quality

  • Property values

  • Flooding and erosion risks

  • Fishing, boating, and swimming

  • Long-term lake and stream health

For visitors, watersheds shape the outdoor experiences Garrett County is known for such as clean lakes, trout streams, scenic rivers, and public lands. Protecting watersheds helps ensure these resources remain healthy and enjoyable for everyone.

Casselman River

Site Location
Grantsville
Precipitation, total, inches
0.00
Discharge, cubic ft/s
547
Gage height, ft
2.64
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft
2091.30
Updated
03/05/26 5:30 pm

Deep Creek Lake

Site Location
Thayerville
Temp, °F
40.1
Elevation of reservoir above datum, ft
2458.50
Lake elevation above NAVD 1988, ft
2460.32
Updated
03/05/26 6:00 pm

North Brand Potomac River

Site Location
Steyer
Kitzmiller
Discharge, cubic ft/s
572
1070
Gage height, ft
3.73
4.39
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft
2279.29
1576.12
Updated
03/05/26 6:15 pm
03/05/26 6:15 pm

Savage River

Site Location
Barton
Bloomington
Temp, °F
42.98
N/A
Discharge, cubic ft/s
137
N/A
Gage height, ft
1.83
N/A
Precipitation, total, inches
N/A
0.00
Reservoir storage, acre-ft
N/A
11110
Elevation of reservoir above datum, ft
N/A
1441.92
Lake elevation above NAVD 1988, ft
N/A
1442.12
Updated
03/05/26 6:15 pm
03/05/26 6:00 pm

Youghiogheny River

Site Location
Oakland
Mchenry
Friendsville
Precipitation, total, inches
0.04
0.00
N/A
Discharge, cubic ft/s
1260
1740
2200
Gage height, ft
4.38
4.53
4.34
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft
2357.47
2022.00
1491.15
Temp, °F
N/A
N/A
45.68
Updated
03/05/26 6:15 pm
03/05/26 5:45 pm
03/05/26 5:45 pm
Partners Share Deep Creek Lake Water Quality Trend Update
Partners Share Deep Creek Lake Water Quality Trend Update
Last Updated 2/20/2026 10:02am
The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation hosted its Watershed Symposium on October 25, 2025, where Garrett County’s Watershed Coordinator and Deep Creek Lake Special Projects staff presented updates on Deep Creek Lake water quality and progress on implementing the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan... see more
Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan
Deep Creek Watershed Management Partnership
Last Updated 2/20/2026 12:17pm
Deep Creek Watershed Management Partnership The Deep Creek Watershed Management Partnership coordinates implementation of the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan (adopted 2016). The Plan outlines 13 management goals to protect the health of Deep Creek Lake and its watershed, addressing topics such... see more
Deep Creek Watershed Foundation
Deep Creek Watershed Symposium — Saturday, October 25
Last Updated 10/22/2025 8:10am
Garrett County Government’s Watershed Management Division encourages residents, property owners, and partners to attend “The Deep Creek Watershed: Past, Present and Future,” a free public symposium hosted and coordinated by the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Sessions... see more
MD General Assembly
2025 Legislation
Last Updated 3/5/2025 1:24pm
The following are pieces of 2025 Maryland General Assembly legislation that could impact the watersheds of Garrett County. Information about the Maryland General Assembly including introduced bills, links to live committee sessions, calendar of sessions, and guides for providing written or in-person... see more
Deep Creek Lake Watershed Management Plan
Steering Committee Serves Deep Creek Lake Watershed Management Plan
Last Updated 2/4/2025 4:59pm
The Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan provides direction for protecting, enhancing, and restoring the resources of the Deep Creek watershed. A plan was developed and published in 2016 as a cooperative effort between state and county government agencies, business owners, and local citizens. This... see more