The Prettyboy Reservoir boat ramp is now closed until further notice due to drought conditions.
As of Tuesday, trailered boats are no longer permitted to use the Prettyboy Reservoir’s boat ramp for access to the water, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) announced. The closure is due to low water levels from prolonged drought conditions.
In July 2026 the DPW said that reservoirs were more than seven feet below normal levels and asked city residents to enact voluntary water conservation measures. Baltimore City is in a drought warning status. As of Aug. 23, however, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) listed reservoirs in the Central region (which includes Baltimore City and Prettyboy Reservoir) as being at normal levels.
Baltimore Fishbowl has reached out to DPW, who asks the public to refer to information released on its website about current drought conditions. Baltimore Fishbowl has also reached out to MDE and will update with any new information from that department.
DPW’s press release about Prettyboy Reservoir noted that trailered boats and other watercraft requiring the boat ramp may not be launched or retrieved, but other small, hand-launched watercraft, like kayaks, were still allowed. Any fishing tournaments and other groups with plans at Prettyboy Reservoir should make alternative plans.
“The restriction is being implemented as a public safety measure as declining water levels make it increasingly difficult to safely launch and retrieve trailered watercraft,” read the DPW press release. “The restriction will remain in place until conditions allow DPW to safely reopen the ramp.”
Boat ramps at Liberty and Loch Raven reservoirs are unaffected and remain open for permitted watercraft, assuming water levels and conditions remain safe. Regular boating season at Baltimore City’s reservoirs ends on Dec. 31.
