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Log flume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes. The use of log flumes facilitated the quick and cheap transportation of logs and thereby eliminated the need for dangerous mountain trails.
"V" shaped log flumes were in common use in the western United States during the late 19th century. These efficient flumes consisted of 2 boards, 2 feet (60 cm) wide, and joined perpendicularly. The longest log flume is the Kings River Flume in Sanger, California.
Today, the name describes an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs. Passengers sit in the logs, which are propelled along the flume by the flow of water. The ride usually culminates with a rapid descent and splashdown into a body of water.
The first log flume amusement ride is said to be the El Aserradero ("The Sawmill" in Spanish), built by amusement company Arrow Development (also known as Arrow Dynamics, Arrow/Huss, Arrow, and now part of S&S/Arrow) in 1963 at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. The ride proved to be so popular, a second separate flume was opened in 1968. The designer, Bud Hurlbut, drew his inspiration from stories of lumberjacks riding logs down rivers. Another notable log flume is Splash Mountain at the Disney theme parks, based on characters in Song of the South. Log flumes are now a staple of many amusement parks.
The first ride outside of America was built at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, Lancashire, England in 1967 and was closed in September, 2006.[1].
Log flumes are a variant of the Boat Chute, constructed in 1926 and 1927 at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Chattanooga Tennessee, the oldest and first chute ride ever built. The Boat Chute consists of a boat that slides down a long chute and splashes into the lake. The Boat chute still operates today.
Log flumes are generally out in the open. Log flumes which are placed indoors instead of out in the open, or at least covered by some sort of shelter, are sometimes referred to as river caves (such as the "Niagara Falls" flume ride in Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Malaysia) to set them apart from typical log flumes. A notable exception is the "Paul Bunyan Log Chute" at the The Park at MOA. Currently, the tallest log flume is Perilous Plunge, a Shoot the Chutes attraction at Knott's Berry Farm which measures 128 feet.