Savage

Ran this reach during the release on 05/29/15. Log mentioned by the previous commenter at memorial rock had been removed by the ASCI crew prior to the event. Great run even though the release was 600CFS less than last year. The shuttle lines were extremely long and the release was only 4 hours, so you had to get on early to get two or more runs in.

Full-length video of our first run can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr1kkONLEVo

Memorial rock at around 850-900cfs

They insisted on running the old piedmont dam. What a great thing to share with your family.

Spring 73 I think

Piedmont Dam, unknown paddler

Savage dam release 7-2-11 Brian Hall on middle chute @ memorial rock
dead center most fun

Savage dam release 7-2-11
Insane and cold run, but worth it!!!
BIG HOLE AT CENTER

Right now its up to 400cfs...I've run it between 350 and 450 cfs back in June...most of the run is clean (the dam looks sketchy), its not til the last third when the river braids a bit that it gets scrapy at all.

At 250cfs it'd probably be turning into a rock fest...but at 350 we did multiple laps and it was worth it

With the construction stalling releases can anyone local or with experience give us a description around ~250? AW now shows it as green. Are we talking a fun ELF or ass scraping level 2? I've run the Savage once during a release weekend and it's a hell of a ride. What's it like at lower levels?

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.

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

April 10 and 11

April 24 and 25

May 8 and 9

May 22 and 23

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.

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NEW

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, with a corresponding release of 350 cfs from Savage River Dam.

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.

The Thursday afternoon releases have been cancelled due to lack of interest!

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.

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.

Releases from Jennings Randolph Lake are made for a variety of purposes and are subject to increase or decrease without prior notice.

The whitewater releases are sponsored by the Mineral County Parks and Recreation Commission. They can be reached for further information at (304) 788-5732.

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

This is the dam about 1/2 mile below the putin. The river right slot (not visible in pic) has a pretty gnarly hole that looks hungry for boaters. Most people portage river left.
Mark D stylin' through one of the many good drops.
One of many similar drops on this creek.

Everyone was surprised how runnable the Savage is at 350. If this was a natural flow river, we would probably consider 350-400 the normal level, and the release level of 100-1200 as high water.

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.

From the photographer:

I own property on the Savage River in Maryland, below the dam. This is a popular whitewater river. Last night a very large tree fell into the river, taking a second tree with it. The river is completely blocked. I took the attached picture this morning (5/25).

This is two miles above the junction of the Savage River and the North Branch of the Potomac at Bloomington, MD.

I thought you might want to get the word out to all potential kayakers.

If the situation changes, I will let you know.

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.

Savage River International Slalom

1976 Savage River International Slalom
1976 Savage River International Slalom.
Gerhard was the 1977 World Wildwater Champion.

The Savage at 3000 is something else. Big bouncy ride through big waves and holes, but you better not swim; look at the trees.
This was the big water Savage race, with the dam running at full capacity and water coming over the spillway. Only the brave raced that day.

Looking downstream at 60 CFS

Zoomed out version of previous photo

The broken Low Head Dam like feature just upstream of the bridge

Swinging Bridge Dam upstream at extremely low water levels

Detail of the rocks that form Memorial rapid at very low water levels

Super low water Savage

Hutch's Demise at 60 CFS

Memorial Rapid at extremely low water levels from underneath Memorial Rock

Swinging Bridge Dam at super low water

Hutch's Demise, looking upstream from road at the bottom of the island/mank

The Low Head Dam like feature at a super low water level, showing the break on river left.

Savage River at 60 CFS

Boofing the left rock at Memorial

Super low water Savage

A view of the entire Memorial Rapid at very low flows