Big Branch Recreational Area
Triadelphia Reservoir
Triadelphia Road, Dayton Maryland 21036
Amenities: Paved parking along with a boat ramp are adjacent to Triadelphia Road. A portable toilet is present during boating/fishing season. A small tot lot and a few picnic tables can be found at the top of the hill east of the parking lot.
Handicapped Access: Much can be seen and heard from the paved parking lot and boat ramp which are the primary birding locations at this site.
Special Attractions: Under the right conditions, mudflats emerge bringing in a small number of shorebirds. When water levels are high, migrant waterfowl may be present. For the wildflower enthusiast, this site has one of the best displays of trailing arbutus to be found in the county.
Size: Although this is a sizable cove on the north side of the reservoir, the mouth is not in sight from the parking lot along Triadelphia Road.
Habitat: The cove is bordered on the steep eastern slopes by deciduous woods with a few remnant pines and on the west (no public access) by mostly pine woods. There may be either water or mudflats visible depending on the season and the amount of rainfall.
Trails/Paths: Public access is along the east side only. During periods of low water, bear left from the boat ramp along the wood edge skirting any mudflats. When water levels are high, follow a faint fishing trail beginning near the metal bench above the boat ramp. Scanning from the head of the boat ramp is usually sufficient to determine
whether it is worth walking to a better vantage point.
Compiler: Joanne Solem.
