The Columbia Association controls and allows the general public to use the lake. The northern access is close to the water, while the southern approach requires a 600 foot walk on an asphalt path to reach the shore.
Other than fishing from the dam at the western end, the shoreline is mostly inaccessible except where anglers established trails through the bushy vegetation. The path around the lake is two miles long. Effectively fishing this lake requires a kayak or canoe. There is a launch at the northern access, but it is not immediately adjacent to the parking lot and requires a short carry across the wooden pier.
Once the weather warms up, underwater vegetation clogs the entire extent of the lake except for the deep water near the dam. Most of the lake is only 8 feet deep, reaching 15 feet at the deepest point. The Columbia Association recognizes the need to dredge the lake and, as of 2011, was actively pursuing hiring a contractor to complete that work.
Directions:
From I-95, take exit 32 onto MD 32W toward Columbia. Exit onto the Broken Land Parkway and turn right. Turn right onto Cradlerock Way. Turn right onto Dockside Lane.
Secrets Revealed? No. This is a very public location that is documented in the Maryland DNR website
Access Point:
· Parking lot on north side of the lake near Dockside Lane (39.18498,-76.844927)
· Parking lot on the south side of the lake off Broken Land Parkway (39.180901,-76.847253)
At Dockside Lane access
At Broken Land Parkway access
Area below the dam
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore