Overview

The Army Corps of Engineers is the steward of the lands and waters at Corps water resources projects. Its Natural Resources Management mission is to manage and conserve those natural resources, consistent with the ecosystem management principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences to serve the needs of present and future generations. On 26 May 2011, the USACE Recreation community announced the public release of the USACE National Recreation Program Strategic Plan, which seeks to transform and reposition the recreation program while maintaining the agency's role as a major federal, water-based recreation provider. Visit the Corps Lakes Gateway for your gateway to recreation opportunities at Corps lands and waters.

The Baltimore District regulates 17 reservoirs in the State of Maryland, West Virginia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York. To obtain information regarding the regulation of these reservoirs please visit our Water Resources Page (with the exception of Indian Rock and Arkport Dams). All of these projects listed below offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Projects whose recreation is managed by the Corps of Engineers offer on-line reservations for camping through the National Recreation Reservation Service. For information on reserving campsites at the other projects, please contact the park manager at the phone number provided in the link.

The district also executes a risk-informed Dam Safety Program that includes inspections and repair work for its dams.

 

Policy for Operations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)

It is incumbent upon visitors of USACE recreation projects to know the rules concerning use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), such as drones. 

UAS pose a potential risk to USACE personnel, safety, infrastructure, equipment and mission conduct.

In accordance with Title 36 CFR, Parks, Forest and Public Property, Parts 327.4(b) and (c), UAS are prohibited from flying over any USACE projects, except over lands designated by the District Commander or Operations Project Manager.

If a person is operating a UAS in undesignated areas, without exclusive permission, or recklessly, local law enforcement may be called upon.

Please adhere to the information in the "Policy for Operations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) at Corps Operations Division Project Lands of the Baltimore District."

New York Dams & Recreation

 Listing of New York Recreation and Dams

Maryland and West Virginia Dams & Recreation

 Listing of West Virginia Dams and Recreation.

Dam Safety Program

Master Plan Revisions

Changes in USACE regulations and community needs necessitate a revision to recreation site master plans. To ensure master plans reflect the needs and interest of the communities they serve, master plans are meant to be updated approximately every 25 years. Many of Baltimore District’s master plans have exceeded the 25 year planning horizon for which master plans are built and have undergone, or will soon undergo, a revision.  Master plan revisions classify the government lands surrounding flood risk management projects based on environmental and socioeconomic considerations, public input, and an evaluation of past, present, and forecasted trends.

Click here to learn more about the revision process and to access detailed information on revisions throughout the Baltimore District.

Baltimore and Washington, D.C. recreation flyer

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. The Corps' Baltimore District regulates 17 reservoirs in the State of Maryland, West Virginia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York. All of these projects offer a variety of affordable recreational opportunities, and many of them are within 200 miles of the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia corridor (click here to expand photo).