Lake Elkhorn and Forebay Pond
Columbia Maryland 21045
Thirty-seven acre east-west-oriented Lake Elkhorn was built by the Columbia Association in 1974. The lake and nearby Forebay Pond attract a diverse array of waterbirds, shorebirds, and passerines year-round.
Amenities: Two parking lots, both close to the west end of the lake: 1) east side of Broken Land Parkway at the lake’s southwest corner and 2) Dockside Lane off the south leg of Cradlerock Way on the northwest side. No facilities. A 2.0 mile paved path encircles the lake. Intersecting paved paths to nearby developments are marked with street names. At the northeast corner, a paved path extends east under the transmission lines continuing past wetlands to Oakland Mills Road. An unnamed path at the lake’s southeast corner runs uphill past Forebay Pond. At the other end of the lake, a path on the northwest corner leads under Broken Land Parkway and connects to the Patuxent Branch Trail which extends to Vollmerhausen Road in Savage. In addition to the lake, dam, and Forebay Pond, which are the main attractions, a 16-station Fitness Circuit Trail can be found along the south side of the lake; two fishing piers are good observation points; a small gazebo is positioned below the dam along with a scattering of picnic tables; a boat launch is available adjacent to the Dockside Lane parking where there are also benches and picnic tables; and a 150-person picnic pavilion near the south side of the dam can be rented.
Handicapped Access: The loop trail and most intersecting paths are paved. There are a few gentle inclines on the main loop; the steepest section is at the northwest corner alongside the dam. Forebay Pond is only accessible via a short dirt trail. All wooden bridges can be slippery when wet.
Habitats: Open water, mature deciduous woods, shrubs, wetlands, small streams, meadows, mown open space, and yards (some fenced). Lake Elkhorn ranges from 15 feet at the west end to shallow water or even mudflats at the extreme east end. The depth in both the lake and Forebay fluctuates depending on precipitation and beaver activity. Varying amounts of submergent and emergent vegetation are present, depending on the season.
Layout: Concentrating on the loop trail allows examination of the entire length of the lake as well as many of the varied habitats. It is easy to make short forays wherever a path looks interesting. (Ivory Hand, midway on the south side, is usually one of the most productive.) A brief trip to Forebay Pond can be worthwhile. Ringed by willows and scrubby vegetation, it is sited above the main lake and a wet meadow. Because that location receives less pedestrian traffic than the main lake trail, birds will occasionally retreat to Forebay. The path to the pond crosses the powerline cut providing a glimpse of several habitats and expansive views of the sky.
On the main trail, multiple short bridges span tributaries. Each serves as a useful observation point. The long bridge with benches at the shallow east end of the lake merits a pause for that portion of the lake has produced some unusual species. Brushy vegetation along the lakeshore can hide waterfowl or various egrets and herons. The lake’s south side is the more wooded, a key to the more than three dozen warbler species recorded at this lake. This side of the lake has relatively few buildings close to the path and, at some points, is positioned above the floodplain making the lake difficult to see.
In contrast, the path on the north side tends to be closer to the lake’s edge, so there is less vegetation interfering with the view. Many townhouses are within sight of the water—some have feeders that can be productive. The major disadvantage of this side is having to face morning sun when checking much of the lake. The Dockside Lane parking lot on this side is in a cove not far from the dam. A fishing gazebo there is a good lookout. Bubblers, marked by decoys, help to oxygenate the water and keep the cove ice-free in winter. The semi-domesticated Mallards often attract other waterfowl. The shrubby shore area between the cove and the dam often holds large flocks of House Sparrows. Careful searching sometimes turns up an interesting associated species. An observation platform overlooks the dam and spillway. On the opposite side, one can walk along its top of the dam to obtain a view to the east of much of the western half of the lake, while a turn to the west allows scanning of the vegetation and the pool below.
This site can be one of the better locations for odonates; several state-rare dragonflies have been confirmed at the east end of the lake.
Compilers: Joanne Solem and Allen Lewis.
