Lake Bernard Frank (also Lake Frank), is a
reservoir
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...
on the
North Branch of Rock Creek in
Derwood, Maryland
Derwood is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in east-central Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It lays just north of Rockville, southeast of Gaithersburg, southwest of Olney, and northwest of the greater Silver Sprin ...
, U.S., just east of
Rockville. In the late 1960s it was renamed after
Bernard Frank, a wilderness activist and a co-founder of
The Wilderness Society.
The lake's boundaries are, approximately, Route 28, East Gude Drive, Avery Road, and Muncaster Mill Road. Lake Frank was created in 1966 as Lake Norbeck to aid in
flood
A flood is an overflow of water ( or rarely other fluids) that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide. Floods are an area of study of the discipline hydrol ...
and
sediment control
A sediment control is a practice or device designed to keep eroded soil on a construction site, so that it does not wash off and cause water pollution to a nearby stream, river, lake, or sea. Sediment controls are usually employed together with er ...
, as well as to provide recreation. It has an
earthen dam
An embankment dam is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil or rock. It has a semi-pervious waterproof natural covering for its surface and ...
, installed in 1967, on its southern side. It was created as a sister lake to
Lake Needwood
Lake Needwood is a reservoir in Derwood, Maryland, United States. Located east of Rockville, in the eastern part of Montgomery County, it is situated on Rock Creek. The lake was created by damming Rock Creek in 1965 with the goal of providing ...
. Lake Frank is owned by the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county agency that administers parks and planning in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland.
History
The commission was formed in 1927 by the Maryland G ...
(M–NCPPC).
The lake's secluded location withi
Rock Creek Regional Parkis another of its assets. Visitors to the lake must bike or walk about 1/4 of a mile from all
parking lot
A parking lot (American English) or car park (British English), also known as a car lot, is a cleared area intended for parking vehicles. The term usually refers to an area dedicated only for parking, with a durable or semi-durable surface ...
s to get to the lakeshore. The Lake Frank & Meadowside Trails surround the lake, making it a favorite
hiking
Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...
spot. Also, locals enjoy
fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment, but may also be caught from stocked bodies of water such as ponds, canals, park wetlands and reservoirs. Fishing techniques inclu ...
from the shoreline, though a license is needed to do so. However,
swimming,
boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether Motorboat, powerboats, Sailing, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sp ...
, and
ice skating are prohibited.
The main trail around Lake Frank, the Lakeside Trail, is a 3 mile long loop. Approximately 2/3 of the trail is unpaved and traverses the woods surrounding the lake. The other part of the trail is wider and paved. At the approximate half-way point of the trail, there is a creek that must be crossed. Though there are a group of rocks which form a bridge-like path across, the creek may be impassable depending on the water level.
Water Quality
In 1998, the
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) identified Lake Frank as "impaired by nutrients" on its list of impaired
surface water
Surface water is water located on top of land forming terrestrial (inland) waterbodies, and may also be referred to as ''blue water'', opposed to the seawater and waterbodies like the ocean.
The vast majority of surface water is produced by prec ...
s.
Eutrophic conditions in the lake were described at that time, evidenced by excessive
algal
Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...
growth and low dissolved oxygen levels. In 2002, MDE prepared a report based on more recent
monitoring
Monitoring may refer to:
Science and technology Biology and healthcare
* Monitoring (medicine), the observation of a disease, condition or one or several medical parameters over time
* Baby monitoring
* Biomonitoring, of toxic chemical compounds, ...
data which indicated improved conditions. The 2002 report proposed that the lake be removed from the impairment listing.
In 2017-2019, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission warned of the lake water contamination with
microcystin.
is a toxic substance produced by some species of blue-green algae (
cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria (), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name ''cyanobacteria'' refers to their color (), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blu ...
) and is toxic to the liver.
References
External links
*
March 2019 map of Lake Frank and Meadowside Trailsat Montgomery Parks
GIS map of the Lake Frank Trail Connectorat Montgomery Parks
Rock Creek Regional Parkbrochure with trail maps, from Montgomery Parks
by iboating
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frank, Lake
Derwood, Maryland
Rockville, Maryland
Reservoirs in Maryland
Potomac River watershed
Lakes of Montgomery County, Maryland