Wincopin Crib Dam

Howard County Rec and Parks identified the remains of a “Crib Dam” between the B.F. Pope train stop and the W. T. Manning Gabbro train stop that they believe was built between 1802 and 1804.  Crib dams were among the earliest type of dam which looked like narrow log cabins filled with dirt and were often anchored on the sides by stones.  You can still see the crib dam stones and earth standing about 10 feet high where the Wincopin Green trail descends on the west side of the Little Patuxent River.

Rec and Parks states that the dam served the Savage Grist Mill about 0.4 miles downstream. but the records of their research have not yet been found.  However, this Crib Dam may be the origin of the extra waters needed for the Savage furnace as stated in an Oct. 29, 1838 letter to George Williams from his brother Cumberland "concerning improvements contemplated" including a blast furnace and rolling forger and the additional water power needed.  They discussed bringing the water of Hammond's Branch into an improved water-tight  dam and a race from the North Branch of the Patuxent (Little Patuxent) upstream to directly supplement their water source.  The race could have started at this crib dam but without additional information we can not say for sure.

In 1847 there was a record of two dams in Savage that were subjected to a stunning flood in October of that year.  It was reported by The Sun that “At the Savage factory, one of the dams gave way, and great loss was sustained – the main dam was only saved by the water rushing through the race, and making a track for itself.” Could it be that they were referring to the crib dam as being destroyed? 

Savage Manufacturing Company had several mill seats and sources and water power as discussed in the "public sale of surplus water powers and out lands of the Savage Manufacturing Company" in July 1855 (see below).   Could the crib dam be related to the mill seat described in Lot No. 14?   There is still so much more to learn about the area between the bridges.