All lakes and ponds in Maryland have been constructed. There are no natural lakes anywhere in the state!

To make sure the embankments of constructed ponds and lakes don’t erode and fail, each embankment is required to be covered with turf grasses. Trees, shrubs and other woody vegetation are not allowed to grow on the embankments. The root systems of woody vegetation can cause water to flow through the embankment which often precedes the failure of an embankment.  

Each year the largest of the ponds in Gaithersburg are inspected by the State of Maryland’s Department of the Environment. These ponds are also each required to have an annual update to their Emergency Action Plan. The plans inform emergency responders of the protocols for action should an embankment show signs of failure.