The Wachusett Dam & Reservoir
Before There Was A Dam©
How they built it and what became of the people who lived there
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4.04.25
Flume – Gatehouse
Flume and Coffer Dam
Here is the latest in what will become a long series of articles about the flume and its components.
This one concerns the gatehouse, prominent at the upstream of the flume, which was also its intake. The Nashua River, in its entirety and in all weathers, was directed past the site excavation safely through this grand structure, for five years without mishap.
The mechanical parts, the stop gates, and how they were constructed and operated are examined.
Thanks,
Paul
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Most Popular Articles
Clinton Catholic Cemetery – The largest of the cemeteries which had to moved because of the rising waters, its colorful story is retold here.
One Man, One Shovel – rarely had so much dirt been moved by hand, a task completed with the most basic of tools…the shovel.
Get a Horse! – The horse had been around for centuries but was far from obsolete. Here is the story of the horse and its contribution to the Wachusett Dam & Reservoir.
Diversity at the Dam – Strong men came from all over to the huge project where there was opportunity for all who were willing to work hard for a good wage.
Coach & Sandy – the area around the submerged/buried ponds, South Main Street and South Meadow Road cutoffs
The Wachusett Aqueduct delivered water, by tunnel and open stream, to the Sudbury Reservoir in Framingham 12 miles away. Since replaced, it still functions as a backup water supply.
Scar Bridge – This bridge once carried Scar Hill Road traffic across the Nashua River in Boylston but today remains submerged in place
Channel Velocity Control – it was imperative to slow the water down in the spillway before it could erode the banks of the millpond and, perhaps, topple the railroad bridge.
The Villages at West Boylston – Four separate villages surrounding the Old Church were submerged. Here is their story. Presented by students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
See for Yourself!
Source Documents for this site – 8,000+ Images
Explore the wide array of contemporary photographs, available in the public domain, that were used for the articles presented here.
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email: paul@pmarrone.com