Historic Hood River
Cross Sections
Notes
Applying what we learned yesterday, we know the lower image shows the log flume from Rainy, North, or Black lake above the Green Point Mill. Each section is almost level, dimensions 3.9 feet by 5.35 feet. A section would end in a gate, followed by a drop to the next relatively level section. The rectangular basin would carry just enough water to float the logs as men walked on the catwalk helping them along to the next gate. They would then open the gate, letting the logs and the water carrying them drop down to the next level. The log flume extended about 5 miles.
I think this may be the final section of the log flume, with a steep final drop to the mill pond. If I am correct, this image and this image may show the same spot from a different perspective. I know the match isn’t perfect, but the flume was rebuilt on a regular basis so we may be seeing an evolution of design (or my theory could be wrong).
The upper image shows the lumber flume below Green Point. I don’t see a creek below the flume, but it could be hidden behind the planks or we could be crossing the divide between Ditch Creek and Phelps Creek. The lumber flume is 3.2 feet wide at the top, and 1.2 feet deep. It carried lumber 10 miles to the Ruthton mill. The grade varies with the terrain.
In 1917, when this report was prepared, the flume was not in operation, hence the dry cross sections.
Dale Nicol
One can only imagine how much work it took to construct the flume.
I wonder what the time line was?
ArthurB
I’m still looking for information on how many people it took to build these flumes, but we know they collapsed or burned on a regular basis so they had to be maintained and rebuilt also.
The amount of wood in those flumes hints at how much wood was available in these forests. The log flume was approximately 5 miles long, and the lumber flume 10 miles long. I’ll add those facts to the notes.
nels
ANy idea what the upright/shed and other at distance?
ArthurB
nels, the "upright shed" is actually outside of the catwalk railing. I wonder if it might be for storing tools, or if it houses a ladder from the ground? The one in the distance is one of the gates to stop the flow of water.
nels
I remember when the flume over in Washington ‘went wild’ and tossed much lumber down on the rocks along highway 14. More than a few people stopped by and gathered up the wood to take home. Maybe the ’70’s.
That would bewhen it is close to making home to theBroughton Mill. Evidently these flues flowed quite fast. Supposedly the owner of the flume allowed his son to build a special water thing to ride the flume down.
kmb
I was going to say, you practically had to build a lumber mill to cut all the wood you needed to build the plume.
Will
If you aren’t familiar with Lassie going down the Broughton flume look for it on youtube:
https://youtu.be/SJ2PwCCp1fM
Apparently Lassie also visited HR at that time. I know one of the Lassies is buried in Portland at the humane society.
kmb
@Will….thanks, I remember seeing that Lassie episode on TV as a kid when it first aired in 1967. I was thinking the location was either Oregon or Washington, but couldn’t remember the exact location. I will have to watch it on YT.