Baltimore District > Missions > Dams & Recreation

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The West Virginia Overlook is closed for the 2026 season due to construction

Project Contact Info

Project Manager: Joshua Gormley
Phone: 304-355-2346

For directions to JRL, click here.

View Jennings Randolph Lake in a larger map

Overview

The Jennings Randolph Lake project (originally called Bloomington Lake) consists of a rolled earth and rockfill dam, rising 296 feet from the lake bottom. The dam, dike, and spillway extends 2130 feet across the valley. At its full conservation pool, the lake is approximately 6.6 miles long with a surface area of 915 acres. The project became operational in 1981. Project purposes include flood risk management, water quality, low flow augmentation, water supply, and recreation.

Tucked between Garrett County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia, Jennings Randolph Lake stretches along 5.5 miles of spectacular countryside on the North Branch of the Potomac River. The area is renowned for its unspoiled wilderness and natural beauty. The lake provides a sanctuary for countless birds, animals and fish where nature comes first and having fun is a close second.

Recreation opportunities at Jennings Randolph Lake include boat ramps for fishing and boating, beach and picnic areas, and the Robert W. Craig campground. Whitewater releases are made each spring from the dam's outlet works.

2026 Recreation Area Updates

Note: The West Virginia Overlook will be closed for the 2026 season due to construction.

The WV Howell Run Boat Launch and the MD Boat Launch are now open for the season.
The Howell Run Picnic Area is currently open. Restrooms will be available on May 1, 2026.
Shaw Beach and the Robert W. Craig campground are scheduled to open on May 1, 2026.

Announcements

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed continuation of forest management activities at the Jennings Randolph Lake (JRL) Project in Garrett County, Maryland and Mineral County, West Virginia. The proposed forest management activities would occur over a period of 10 years on approximately 500 acres of the JRL Project. The objective for the overall forest management program includes conducting, on average, approximately 50 acres of forest management each year. The JRL Project is a multipurpose water resources project constructed and operated by USACE. Project lands and waters provide flood risk management, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, plant habitat, and timber. These lands are primarily forested and managed to ensure the long-term sustainability of forest resources and values.

Public Notice | Draft FONSI | Appendix A

Comments can be submitted electronically to grant.m.cunningham@usace.army.mil. Written comments can be sent to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: Grant Cunningham, Planning Division, 10th Floor, 2 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201.

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."