Savage River, Garrett Co., MD, 03/05/2009

[3wt7X]

I took a trip out to the Savage on thursday and arrived at about 11am. The temperature was about 50 degrees all day with a little wind. I started out nymphing the pocket water and landed four beautiful wild browns from 8-12 inches. I was using an attractor nymph like a San Juan worm or a green weenie ahead of a size 14 flashback pheasant tail and I took all the browns on the pheasantail. I noticed a lot of midge activity throughout the day and I came to a nice pool that had a pod of native brookies working the surface. I tied on a size 18 BWO olive emerger with a nice white foam post and landed two of the natives brookies, which were about 8 inches apiece in short order. In all it was a beautiful day to be out on the Savage. Tight lines to everyone.

 

[albatross]

Nice report. Thanks for sharing. Gosh I miss that stream!

Did you look above the dam? I heard they would have to completely drain the lake to fix the gates.

 

[afishinado]

Stimulus plan to the rescue?!?



February 5th, 2009
Repairs Needed To Aging Savage River Dam To Provide Flood Control, Protect D.C. Area Water Supplies
Linda Young - AHN Editor

Luke, MD (AHN) - An aging dam on the Savage River in Maryland is a disaster waiting to happen unless cash-strapped local governments get enough money for repairs from the federal government.

Officials from various state and local government entities are seeking $6 million in federal economic stimulus funds to pay for necessary repairs to the dam.

One of the four main drainage gates on the dam, which has been in service since 1952, has been frozen closed since last winter. It appears to be a problem of age, so the 350 acre reservoir needs to be drained so all the gates can be replaced.

The alternative is to risk having the dam burst and the Savage River run freely, as it once did.

But that not only eliminates flood control, not only along the river's route, but also on the upper Potamac, as well as threatening adequate water supplies for millions. Along with ensuring Potomac River water supplies for suburban Washington, the Savage River Dam provides water for the town of Westernport.

If the dam is taken out of service the Upper Potamac River Commission is legally obligated to supply Westernport with water by pumping it from the river, according to reports.

The dam is currently operating on a consent order from the Maryland Department of Environment, which has set a deadline of May 2011, or it can force removal of the dam. Removing the dam would also cost money, so it probably makes better sense to take care of the repairs.

The Upper Potomac River Commission owns the dam. But under a user agreement between Officials from Washington and Fairfax County, VA, Allegany County, MD is responsible for funding 80 percent of the operating costs and a portion of maintenance costs up to $100,000.

Allegany County officials have said they are not in a position to fund repairs of the dam, which far exceed the amount of money for which the county is responsible anyway. They say that the federal government should have an interest in maintaining drinking water supplies for the Washington, D.C. area anyway.

In the meantime, recreation on the river is also suffering because of the lack of repairs at the dam. Dam officials say that the situation with the gates mean they can't release water for whitewater enthusiasts who use the river this year.

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http://www.gantdaily.com/news/35/ARTICLE/43001/2009-02-05.html