From Jimi Nixon: The right line on the lowhead dam (or being from Ohio) presents a hazard of being pulled under / behind the curtain. Don't ask me how I know this! Edit

Steve Ettinger: Don't take the 349 cfs indicated as the real zero level. It can be run comfortably down to around 250 cfs, as indicated in the rankings of river difficulties accessible from the MCC home page, and from the earlier comment posted here about recreational releases of 300 cfs. Edit

A few years ago, the old lady who lives near the dam (the dam-keeper's wife?) screamed at me that she would call the police if I tried to put in below the dam. What's with that?! Just FYI. I put in lower.

The North Branch Potomac Whitewater Release Schedule for 2004&lt;br /&gt;<br /> &lt;br /&gt;<br /> April 10 and 11&lt;br /&gt;<br /> April 24 and 25&lt;br /&gt;<br /> May 8 and 9&lt;br /&gt;<br /> May 22 and 23 &lt;br /&gt;<br /> Large releases suitable for whitewater recreation may be scheduled for several other weekends during the summer and fall, provided sufficient water is available. These weekends will be announced about two to four weeks in advance on this website, or on a telephone recording at (410) 962-7687.&lt;br /&gt;<br /> &lt;br /&gt;<br /> &lt;br /&gt;<br /> &lt;br /&gt;<br /> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;br /&gt;<br /> NEW&lt;br /&gt;<br /> There are plans for an Artificially Varied Flow (AVF) release beginning on August 14, 2004 at 10 AM and lasting until August 15, 2004 at noon. AVF flows are scheduled periodically to help improve downstream habitat. The release rate will be 850 cfs from Jennings Randolph Lake,&lt;b&gt; with a corresponding release of 350 cfs from Savage River Dam.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/b&gt;<br /> Additional AVF releases are being considered for September 11-12 and October 9-10, 2004. More information will be provided here at a later date.&lt;br /&gt;<br /> The Thursday afternoon releases have been cancelled due to lack of interest!&lt;br /&gt;<br /> Smaller recreational releases of 300 cubic feet per second are scheduled to occur from 10:30 AM until 2:30 PM each Thursday from July 15 until August 26.&lt;br /&gt;<br /> &lt;br /&gt;<br /> Additionally, attempts will be made to avoid large releases during selected weekends, unless such releases are required as a result of highwater conditions, downstream water supply needs, or unforeseen circumstances. These weekends are as follows: April 3-4 and 17-18; May 1-2, 15-16, and 29-30; June 12-13 and 26-27; July 10-11 and 24-25; August 7-8 and 21-22; September 4-5 and 18-19; and October 2-3 and 23-24. &lt;br /&gt;<br /> Releases from Jennings Randolph Lake are made for a variety of purposes and are subject to increase or decrease without prior notice. &lt;br /&gt;<br /> &lt;br /&gt;<br /> The whitewater releases are sponsored by the Mineral County Parks and Recreation Commission. They can be reached for further information at (304) 788-5732.&lt;br /&gt;<br />

A group from DC recently ran the Savage on a release of 350cfs and found the stream navigable. The paddled creekboats.

Paddled the Savage 5/22/04 at 1000 cfs. Dangerous strainers approximately 1/4 downstream of 5' dam (in middle of run). Trees down on each side of the river give the false appearance that the middle line might runnable. It's not. Eddy out before you get to these trees. There is another tree in the water behind them that you cannot see until it is too late.

STRAINER ALERT!!! Towards the end of this run there is a rapid with an island in the middle. both channels are blocked with wood. You can identify this rapid by a blue warehouse on river left. I highly suggest scouting this from the bank or the road. unless conditions improve it is highly advisable to walk this one.