Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine — July 2017

http://www.pdbmagazine.com Pontoon & Deck Boat July (^201737)

P

ontooning might be a popular

sport in many parts of the

country, but that’s especially

true at Deep Creek Lake,

Md., where people line

up in the morning during the summer

for their rental boat to take advantage

of cool water, cool breezes and cool

experiences! The Fourth of July weekend

is no exception, only more of a reason,

especially on a pontoon. Deep Creek is

the largest man-made freshwater lake in

Maryland, having been created in 1925

after years of clear cutting timber and

roads being covered by water as deep as

50 feet. Its sole purpose was to harness

power by the Youghiogheny Hydro

Electric Corporation for environs like

Pittsburg, Pa.

Located in the western part of

Maryland among the Appalachian

Mountains, logging, farming and outdoor

recreation were common before the

lake was built. Interstate 68, built in

1991, goes directly east to west by

the northern Maryland/Pennsylvania

border, increasing its popularity. As an

alternative to the ocean (particularly

Ocean City and Rehoboth) for

Washington, DC, northern Virginia and

Baltimore residents, the less congested

and easily reached destination offered

refreshing weather and a plethora of

water activities. The Pittsburg populace

also found the area enticing, just a few

hours away.

Mountain rain and snow runoff

supplies the lake rather than the more

common source of a river running

through it, although a tributary of the

Youghiogheny River helps. It covers

about 3,900 acres and 65 miles of

shoreline. It also has plenty of coves

to harbor those wishing to just jump

in the water and swim, or drop a line

to fish for large and smallmouth bass,

walleye, several species of trout, yellow

perch, brim and shad. The other popular

activity is the ever-present pontoon

boat hauling a toy of “Big Bertha” up to

3-passenger tubes, or kids on water skis.

People also enjoy the lake by relaxing as

they cruise its length going for lunch or

an ice cream cone.

Year-Round Fun

The Wisp Resort, featuring 34 ski

slopes that expand over 172 acres during

the winter, has become a year-round

paradise, with golf courses, a zip line

run, and even an exciting whitewater

rafting experience! Built before the real

popularity of the lake took place, it has

certainly put the area, as the only ski

resort in Maryland, on the mid-Atlantic

radar. It is also on Marsh Mountain

where spectacular Zambelli fireworks

are launched at late dusk to dark for the

Fourth of July holiday while pontooners

enjoy the sight from their boats.

Although not on the lake itself, the

resort still anchors the lake at its most

northern point at McHenry, where they

offer frequent pontoon boat tours through

the northern portion of the lake. Nil

Grove, along with her mother Buget

Hisim, brother, and cousins from Turkey,

came out on the tour to acquaint them

with the lake she loves. It gave them a

quick overview of its history and people.

Tour guide Woody Knotts said that

fishing is good by “Stump Point” among

the old chestnut, oak and hickory trees

cut down before the lake was filled with

its pristine water while traveling on the

way to the 1,300-foot long dam of earth

and rock wall. It effectively blocks the

water flow and gave the electric company

its power plant location. Later, in 2000,

the state purchased the body of water

from the Pennsylvania Electric Co.

Rental Stays

There is a burgeoning market of

second homes for families. These homes

are rentable and can be found on the

Internet or through various realtors.

Just sitting on the deck overlooking the

lake with a morning cup of coffee and

pastries from any number of sweet shops

seems to be popular. But watersports

with the availability of full-service boat

rental businesses in the entire region,

especially for pontoon boat rentals

so easily obtainable, makes this lake

During the Wisp boat

tour of the northern

section of the lake,

Maryland residents

(R-L) Budget Hisim,

mother of Nus Hisim

and Niel Grove enjoy

time with their cousins

from Turkey, Alt and

Didem Hisim, who are

on vacation.

(L-R) Carol Juba, Michael Juba, little Addilyn Juba,

Army airborne Alan Juba and wife Jodi Juba, who are all

from Pittsburg, Pa. They have a Harris FloteBote bought

from Bill’s Marine Service and are enjoying lunch at Uno’s

restaraunt, especially Addi at the elephant.

Deep Creek Marina

Club docks.