The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-03-21
SAVAGE RIVER DAM DEEMED NECESSARY TO ECONOMIC
LIFE OF CUMBERLAND AND ADJACENT AREAS IN VALLEY


An acid condition in the Potomac
River, due mainly to the mines, is said
to be highly detrimental to modern
machinery and often causes expensive
/ repairs to equipment due mainly to
corrosion. In low water periods, 1t IS
! claimed, there is insufficient water to
use in condensers and other cooling
apparatus. In some Of the plants 1t
has been necessary to build cooling
beds where through sprayer systems,
water taken from the river is cooled
and used over and over again rather
than depend on a steady supply from
the river.
These improvements made by lndl-
vidual factories have been necessary
mainly because of present conditions
of the Potomac. Such expensive I'M
provements that are necessary under
present conditions, go a long way TO-
ward discouraging other plants from
locating in the area. Although other
conditions may make it admirable for
location of factories in the DISTRICT
the lack of sufficient good water Is
sufficient to make prospective plants
go to other sections.
Engineers claim that the water OF
the Savage River is practically free
from acids and other impurities now
found in the Potomac. By establishing
a reserve supply of water in the Saw
age at Bloomington, to be released IN
low water periods when the acid con-
tent is at its highest point, they clalm'
the Potomac would be greatly improV-
ed and the high acid content would be
neutralized to a great degree.
Not only would the acid content be
neutralized, but there would be sutfi-
Gent continuous flow to care for the
sewerage dumped from the various
cities. This would tend to put the Po-
tomac in a more healthy condition.
Mainly, from an econmic point OF
view. the river would be more valua-
BILE to factories and the main difficulty
of an abundant supply of water for
manufacturing purposes would be per-
manently removed. This is important,
they say, due to the fact that coal
mining. which has been for years, the
main industry through this section Is
on the decline. Little hope is held Tor
it's return to the prominent position
as an industry it held some years
ago.
Would Increase Employment
Faced with an unemployment prob
lem that may not be relieved along
with the rest of the country, 1t is
pointed out that other industries must
be brought to the section if the people
are to be given permanent work.
1t will mean additional factories and
other industries along the Potomac
River to give residents of the creek
section this permanent employment
By cleaning up the Potomac and CIV
ing a steady flow of good quality wa
ter for manufacturing purposes, is
looked upon as one of the main i'm
provements necessary to accomplish
this end.
The Savage River dam is put for
ward as the means to the end and Of
ficials and business men claim that 1t
should be put through now when there
is possibility Of having the work
done with public funds made available
through the PWA. Employment would
be given during the construction OF the
dam to a great number of people which
would also solve some of the tempo
rary difficulties experienced at the
present time among those who are out
of work.