July 19, 2024 - Seven Points and Tatman Run Public Swim Beaches are OPEN for swimming.
Safety inspections and water tests are conducted WEEKLY at all swim beaches in accordance with federal law for the safety of our visitors. The water samples taken at Tatman and Seven Points passed a test taken earlier this week.
Various strains of bacteria (including E. coli) are ALWAYS present in bodies of fresh water like Raystown Lake and fluctuate daily depending on precipitation, inflow, presence of humans & waterfowl, etc. The levels of bacteria can vary greatly from place to place in the same body of water and it is a 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞. Generally speaking, bacterial contamination typically originates from conditions on or near the shore and levels are USUALLY lower further away from shore.
As a reminder, all public swim beaches (and the rest of the lake) are 𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐌 𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊.
Check out these helpful tips from the CDC for keeping you and your family safe when swimming in natural bodies of water- https://www.cdc.gov/.../visiting-oceans-lakes-rivers.html
January 16, 2024: Raystown Lake incorporates new fishing tournament safety meaures ahead of 2024 recreation season
In an effort to increase visitor safety, minimize traffic congestion and provide safe access for emergency vehicles at boat ramps during peak recreation season at Raystown Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, requests that fishing tournament directors schedule the start and end times of their tournaments outside of peak capacity weekend hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, between Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends, when first-come, first-served boating traffic is heaviest. Click here to access full news release with additional information.
Additional information regarding fishing tournament safety measures can also be found here.