Savage River (Maryland) facts for kids

Savage River, showing how water flows.

Savage River during a dam release, with lots of water.

The Savage River is a river about 29.5 miles (47.5 km) long. It is located in Garrett County, Maryland. This river is the first big stream that flows into the North Branch Potomac River from where that river starts. The Savage River got its name from a man named John Savage. He was a surveyor in the 1700s, which means he measured land.

What is the Savage River?

The Savage River is an important waterway in Maryland. It collects water from many smaller streams. These streams are called tributaries. Some of them include Carey Run, Mudlick Run, and the Little Savage River.

The Savage River Dam

A big dam called the Savage River Dam is built on the river. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes care of this dam. Its main jobs are to control floods and provide a place for fun activities.

Fun at the Reservoir

The reservoir behind the dam is a great spot for fishing. You can find different types of trout there. These include brown, rainbow, brook, and sometimes cutthroat trout. Many other small streams also flow into this reservoir.

Whitewater Adventures

The last 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of the Savage River are very exciting. This part is popular for whitewater paddling and racing. Whitewater means the water is fast and bumpy, like rapids. People can only paddle here when enough water is let out from the dam. This does not happen very often. For example, in 2011, water was released only three times for fun.

Racing on the River

The Savage River has been used for very important races. It was the site of the U.S. Olympic Trials for canoeing. It also hosted the 1989 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in June 1989. This was the first time the Slalom World Championships were held in the United States.

The Race Course

Paddlers usually start their whitewater trip about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) below the dam. This is where a highway crosses the river. The actual race section begins a bit further downstream. It is below the 5.0-foot (1.5 m) high Piedmont Dam. The race finishes about 0.35 miles (0.56 m) downstream. This is near a viewing stand and a pedestrian bridge.

Another Race Location

The Slalom World Championships came back to the U.S. in 2014. But this time, they were held at the Adventure Sports Center International. This center has an artificial whitewater course. It was built in 2007 to be easier to use than the Savage River. The Savage River often does not have enough water for big events.

River Rapids

The whitewater part of the Savage River is quite steep. On average, it drops 75 feet (23 m) for every mile (1.6 km). Some parts are even steeper, dropping 100 feet (30 m) per mile. This makes the rapids exciting. They are usually rated as Class III to III+. This means they are challenging but can be navigated by skilled paddewater paddlers. The rapids are fast and continuous, with few calm spots to rest.

See also

In Spanish: Río Savage para niños