Lake Montebello

Lake Montebello, seen from Erdman Ave in Mayfield

Lake Montebello is a reservoir located near Mayfield and Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello in Northeast Baltimore, MD. The lake was constructed in 1881, and nearby Montebello Filtration Plants 1 and 2 were completed in 1915 and 1928, respectively.[1] The lake contains approximately 410 million gallons of water, with a maximum storage of 606 million gallons.[2] Today, the lake continues to act as a settling basin for what goes on in the filtration plant.[3] Bike and walking paths line the lake and are used as a recreational area for the surrounding community.

History

In 1854, nearby Herring Run was identified as a possible source of drinking water for the City of Baltimore. The lake was constructed between 1875 and 1881, and on September 29, 1881, the lake reached its full height of 163′. [4] Construction of a tunnel connecting Loch Raven Reservoir with Lake Montebello was also completed in 1881. In 1910, chlorination of the water supply was instituted, followed by construction of a water filtration plant at the Montebello site. Montebello Filtration Plant 1, situated on the east side of Hillen Road, began operation in 1915 after a two-year construction period. Called one of the “biggest and most important undertakings in the history of the city” by Robert L. Clemmitt, the city’s acting water engineer and president of the water board, the filtration plant's creation was the turning point for healthy drinking water in the city.[5]

In 1918, annexation of additional land by the City spurred the construction of Montebello Plant 2, which began operation in 1928. Other major construction projects occurring the first half of this century included construction of the Montebello-Druid Lake conduit and Prettyboy Dam (1933), construction of the Gunpowder-Montebello Tunnel (1941), and construction of the Patapsco-Montebello Tunnel (1950).[1]

Today

The original indoor filter tanks housed in the 1915 red brick building remain in use today.[6] Kurt Kocher, a public works spokesman, said the two Lake Montebello filtration plants likely will remain in use into the 2020s, when officials hope to bring a new plant on line in Fullerton. When that facility opens, public works officials could either retire or refurbish the older Montebello plant.[6] Efforts by Mayfield Improvement Association and other nearby community associations continue to support the natural beauty surrounding the lake and medians around pedestrian paths along the perimeter of the lake.

References

  1. 1 2 "History of the Water System". Baltimore City Department of Public Works. 2015-12-28. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  2. ↑ "Lake Montebello | Water and Me | Page 2". rep5355.com. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  3. ↑ "Lake Montebello | Water and Me | Page 3". rep5355.com. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  4. ↑ "Lake Montebello | Water and Me". rep5355.com. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  5. ↑ "Building Lake Montebello's water system". The Darkroom: Exploring visual journalism from the Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  6. 1 2 Dresser, Michael. "City celebrates 100 years of Lake Montebello water". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2018-04-11.

Coordinates: 39°19′55″N 76°35′02″W / 39.332°N 76.584°W / 39.332; -76.584

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