kids encyclopedia robot

Savage Mountain facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Savage Mountain
Savage Mountain wind farm.jpg
Wind farm on the summit, near Pleasant Union, Pennsylvania
Highest point
Peak (High Point)
Elevation 2,667 ft (813 m)
Dimensions
Length 30 mi (48 km)
Naming
Etymology eponym: John Savage
Geography
Savage Mountain is located in Pennsylvania
Savage Mountain
Location in Pennsylvania
Country United States
Range coordinates 39°53′11″N 78°44′10″W / 39.88639°N 78.73611°W / 39.88639; -78.73611
Parent range Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
Geology
Orogeny Alleghenian orogeny (the western edge
of the Allegheny Formation "shows along
the eastern slope of Savage Mountain".)
Type of rock Carboniferous: "Mauch Chunk Red
Shales and Limestones"

Savage Mountain is an anticline extending from Bedford County, Pennsylvania southwest into Western Maryland. It is the western side of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, and the eastern portion of the ridge forms the border of Garrett and Allegany Counties of Maryland. The anti-cline includes two component ridges in Maryland, Little Savage Mountain and Big Savage Mountain.

Portions of Savage Mountain form the Eastern Continental Divide, separating watersheds draining to the Ohio River and those draining to the Potomac. To the northwest of Savage Mountain, waters drain to the Casselman River. The North Branch Potomac River watershed encompasses the southwestern and eastern portions of the ridge.

History

After Nemacolin's Path and the first survey of the Potomac (1736-1737) had passed through the area, the Braddock Road over the ridge opened in 1757. By 1767, the Mason–Dixon line survey had placed milestones across the ridge and the National Road was completed through the area by 1818.

Allegany coal basin
1866 depiction of the "Savage Mountains"' triple ridge between the Negro and Wills Mountains

In 1911, construction began on the Borden and Big Savage Tunnels for the Connellsville subdivision of the Western Maryland Railway. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a connection road that is now the 6.4 mile Monroe Run Trail.

The Savage River Dam and Reservoir were constructed just southwest of the ridge in 1952 to control flooding along the Savage River and North Branch Potomac River, as well as to supply water to nearby communities.

On August 13, 1976, the freeway that would become Interstate 68 opened through the ridge. Due to severe fog conditions common along this stretch of highway, Maryland's first "fog warning system" was installed after a May 2003 crash that killed two and injured about 100 people.

In 2001, the fire history and dendroecology of Savage Mountain oak stands were investigated. About 2,600 trees were later planted in the Savage Mountain Demonstration Plot #2 in 2007.

Wind power

In 2006, U.S. WindForce proposed a 40-megawatt (54,000 hp)wind farm on Savage Mountain at a strip-mining site. A study for the Savage Mountain Transmission Main Project began in 2008.

Notable points

Point Location Elevation
CSX Transportation railroad 39°48′30″N 78°57′27″W / 39.80833°N 78.95750°W / 39.80833; -78.95750 2,430 feet (741 m)
Big Savage Mountain 39°47′40″N 78°49′47″W / 39.79444°N 78.82972°W / 39.79444; -78.82972 2,566 feet (782 m)
Big Savage Tunnel 39°44′27″N 78°53′37″W / 39.74083°N 78.89361°W / 39.74083; -78.89361 2,400 feet (732 m) (above tunnel)
Little Savage Mountain 39°43′49″N 78°55′11″W / 39.73028°N 78.91972°W / 39.73028; -78.91972 2,820 feet (860 m)
Maryland/Pennsylvania state line (Mason–Dixon line) 39°43′21″N 78°54′51″W / 39.72250°N 78.91417°W / 39.72250; -78.91417 2,840 feet (866 m)
U.S. Route 40 Alternate 39°40′56″N 78°58′01″W / 39.68222°N 78.96694°W / 39.68222; -78.96694 2,847 feet (868 m)
Interstate 68/U.S. Route 40 39°40′23″N 78°57′46″W / 39.67306°N 78.96278°W / 39.67306; -78.96278 2,830 feet (863 m)
Elbow Mountain 39°34′06″N 79°05′10″W / 39.56833°N 79.08611°W / 39.56833; -79.08611 2,740 feet (835 m)
kids search engine
Savage Mountain Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.