Dams - Redridge

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Title: Dams - Redridge
Photographer: William Brinkman
Subject Headings: Earthwork - Dams, Woody Plants - Trees, Water - Lakes
Condition: Good
Description: The construction of the spillway or overflow or launder as they were called is shown here as it progresses to completion. The photographer was standing where the "gates" were later constructed which controlled the flow of water from the steel dam that had impounded water from the Salmon Trout River. This construction took place in 1901-02 and was completed at same time as that of the dam and the Baltic Mill in 1902. [Image of the construction of the spillway. Please see comment section for further information.]
Source of Description: Back of photo [Cataloger]
Institution: Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections
Donor: William Brinkman
Date of Photo: undated
Medium: still image
Color: black and white
Size: 20.2 cm x 25.3 cm
Polarity: Positive
Image No: MS029-009-047-006
Collection Name: William Brinkman Collection
Terms of Use: Rights to reproduce and distribute this image may be restricted. Contact the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections for further information.
User Comments:
• In the center area of this photo the researcher will notice that portions of a railroad trestle can be seen being erected which on completion ran over and above the spillway. In fact there were a total of three railroad trestles over the spillway. (1) near the dam (2) one that lead from the dam to the mill and (3) over the spillway on its way to the lower section of the mill, the mineral bin and lake shore.However, this spillway was undermined in 1905 due to improper building at the gates, and so a large section of this launder was undermined by heavy flow of water and timbers broke up and shot down the waterway and into Lake Superior. It was rebuilt in 1905-06 and with a heavy concrete base it was permanently set till the great flood of Easter Sunday, 1940, when the decaying spillway disintegrated as huge waves of water shot lake-ward. [Back of photograph]
11/8/2007 12:49:01 PM by Christine Holland, Archives