One of my first jobs at MFLM (Maine Forest and Logging Museum) was to get the sawmill log pond filled up ( with water not logs ) so we could provide a waterwheel and log sawing demonstration to a tour group in a few days. However, stupid beavers clog the dam upstream (every single night!), the stream water level is low this year anyway and the spillway gate leaks like a secret in Washington D.C. So I had my work cut out.
A quick overview of my chore:
- Day one: Place wooden slats in spillway gate to block water flow and fill log pond – let pond fill overnight.
- Day two: Spillway leaks so bad pond did not fill at all, work on spillway to stop leaks – let pond fill overnight.
- Day three: OK, that didn’t work. How about using a huge sheet of rubber to stop leaks? Looks ugly but if it works we’ll go with it – let pond fill overnight, again.
- Day four: Success! The log pond is filling up – Should I try to run the water powered sawmill all by myself? What would you do? What did I do?
Watch the video below to find what you should do!
Oh Yeah! I did it!
And, BTW, I was not talking to myself. I was talking to Tina on a walkie-talkie… most of the time… some of the time…
Best blog post ever!!! I knew you were The Perfect Person for this job. Can’t wait to hear what you’re up to next.
Thanks! I really enjoyed that sawmill!! I already miss that place, but it was getting cold…
I miss it, too! That was our first workamping experience and I can’t imagine a better one!
I enjoy your background music. I think you may actually be a “Hillbilly.”
Oh yeah… There’s little doubt about that😋