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Visit a section of river between Fairfax Stone and Westernport...
Fairfax Stone
Kempton, Md.
Potomac State Forest
Jennings Randolph Lake
Savage River
Westernport, Md. |
An unpolluted mountain stream of the North Branch basin, Savage River has been treasured by residents of Garrett County for its clear water. A reservoir five miles up the Savage River Road from Bloomington is used for boating, fishing, swimming, and domestic water supply. Big Run State Park, at the headwaters of the lake, has public facilities. The river below the dam is a popular location for whitewater canoe competitions. The Upper Potomac River Commission, which owns and operates the dam, supplies the correct amount of water for competitions each spring. The original dam was built in 1952 by the Army Corps of Engineers for flow control on a 5.5 mile stretch of this tributary of the North Branch.
Water is released at a rate of 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through a tunnel that is 10 feet wide and 1,170 feet long. The rate is high enough to allow outstanding whitewater racing. The river drops about 75 feet per mile. The Savage River watershed is designated as a trout stream with restrictions for fishing by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Some areas of the river are restricted to "trophy trout" by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The state does not stock the area, but does limit the number and size of trout that can be harvested.
A massive bridge designed by Benjamin Latrobe, Jr., son of the architect of the Capitol, carried the B&O Railroad over the Savage River at its confluence with the Potomac. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is still used by CSX Corp.
Savage River and Reservoir, 4610 Savage River Road, Bloomington, MD 21523. Telephone: 301-359-0361.
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