While the planned August Savage River release had to be canceled due to unusually low inflows, the September release will occur thanks to significant recent rainfall.  The release will occur on Sunday, September  9th, from 9am to 3pm, and will be at a volume of 1000cfs.  The Savage is one of the premiere whitewater rivers of Western Maryland, and is typically dewatered by an upstream dam.  

The 2007 release schedule for Savage River Dam has been posted on the public website: http://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/northBranch.html. This page also includes three day projections for daytime release rates for Jennings Randolph Lake and Savage River Dam. Scroll down to find the recreational release schedule. 

Managing these releases will require the cooperation of a number of organizations and businesses.  New Page / Luke Paper Company and D&L Coal Company, who own the takeout, have graciously agreed to allow public access.  Adventure Sports Center International will be taking care of many of the logistics needed to meet the concerns of various parties.  The Adventure Sports Institute is running free shuttles. 

Local organizers ask that paddlers park at the put in, sign waivers, and then catch the free shuttle at the takeout.  There is very limited parking at the takeout.  The last release went great, and continued patience with this very new opportunity is greatly appreciated.   

 

These releases are the result of multi-party negotiations between the various agencies in charge of operating the dam, state agencies, anglers, paddlers, and other stakeholders. We would like to thank Larry Lubbers for representing AW and ACA in these negotiations as a volunteer.  We would also like to thank Adventure Sports International,  the Adventure Sports Institute,  New Page / Luke Paper Company, D&L Coal Company, the Upper Potomac River Commission, the Army Corps of Engineers, Precision Rafting, and the Maryland State Police, for making this season's releases a great success. 

Please enjoy these rare paddling opportunities and be careful out there.  The Savage is likely impacted by flow regulation in a manner that encourages vegetation to encroach into the river channel. We hope that these releases will go well and lead to many years of enjoyment of the Savage.