Counties: Frederick

Information: unningham Falls Reservoir was completed during the early 1970s for the Department of Natural Resources to increase recreational opportunities for visitors to Cunningham Falls State Park. Full pool was reached almost immediately thanks to Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The lake is used for swimming, boating and fishing. A campground within the State Park is available near the lake. Big Hunting Creek, one of Maryland's most popular trout fisheries and the only fly-fishing-only, catch-and-return trout fishing area, is also found in the park. Physical/ Habitat Description - Cunningham Falls Reservoir has a maximum depth of approximately 75 feet. The upper one-third is characterized by relatively shallow (< 15 feet) soft-bottomed flats with a meandering creek channel while the lower two-thirds is characterized by steep, rocky shorelines dropping quickly into deep water. During July the oxycline/thermocline can be found at approximately 18 to 20 feet. Rocky banks, fallen trees, beaver lodges and submerged aquatic vegetation provide abundant cover. In addition, some artificial habitat (terra cotta drain tile, Christmas trees, pallet structures) has also been constructed in recent years.