Dams on way to Wallface ponds.

[Neil]

Regarding the dams on the way to Wallface Ponds, does anybody know the history of the making (and breaking) of these fantastic structures? I can't figure out what the economic gain would have been for so much effort to have been expended in such a remote location.

 

[raftingguy]

As best I can tell from a little research, these dams were used in logging operations to control water flow.

 

[JimB]

Neil, I believe you're talking about the large dam at Scott Clearing? Back in the old days the loggers would flood that whole valley with the dam. When the lake froze over they spent all winter covering the valley with logs. When the spring thaw came the dam was breached and all the logs rattled down Indian Pass Brook to the sawmills. Crazy young guys rode along to break up the jams with poles and/or dynamite. It was a lot easier to move the logs on the frozen ground so that was how they did it. The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake has a lot of info on this(and lots of other interesting history). There was huge economic gain because the trees were so big and probably every one was cut because those guys had no thought for the future(like some people today). The museum is a must see if you like the ADKs.

 

[Rick]

What a tough life it had to be. 'course, they did what they had to do to get by. I think it might have been Sharpe Swan that has a film from the early 20th century showing lumber companies blowing the dam and the log riders riding in them the 'dacks out near Speculator (Sharpe, sorry in the event it's not you, but I am sure it was your ADK presentation)

 

[masshysteria]

I second Jim's opinion,the Adirondack Museum is a must see! We went there a few years ago because our hiking day was washed out. Our origional intent was to kill time, but we ended up being asked to leave at closing time.

The logging exhibit was fascinating, especially the old movies of the sleds loaded with lumber being pulled by a team of horses, or the log riders breaking up the jams. Great place, go see it!

 

[Neil]

Those rocks are friggin' huge. How did they move and lift them? I don't think Pete Hickey's technique as explained over at ADK forum existed back then.

 

[JimB]

Maybe they used brute strength and ignorance, it's always worked for me