Update: cross-river conveyor
Blog: Culture Check
March 11, 2010
The tower and housing at the end of Columbia Siding Road (near the turn-off to the Palisades) has an interesting use. I posted a query about this structure a few days ago — see it HERE.
Dorothy Harris, a media person for the Grant County PUD, was gracious enough to dig for the details and sent in this report:
The Columbia Siding Road “tower” shown in your photos is on the Wanapum Reservoir just below Chelan PUD’s Rock Island Dam. It is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) flow gauging station that was used by USGS staff. They crossed the river in the trolley system while taking survey readings of the channel bed using a “really long” stick — like Enesvy posted to your blog, “Yikes!”
This station allowed USGS to determine channel geometry and calculate total discharge based on water levels recorded by a sensor connected to the small structure below the tower. USGS discharge data for this site can be viewed HERE.
These gauging stations are rarely used today as USGS now collects the survey data via boats and sounding equipment. There is a similar station downstream of Priest Rapids Dam.
Thanks, Dorothy!
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lbadge320 1 year, 11 months ago
Update: cross-river conveyor
Thanks for the update...interesting stuff!
1 year, 11 months ago
Update: cross-river conveyor
Well done, Mike!
irwin 1 year, 11 months ago
Update: cross-river conveyor
Ah, but can we get free rides?
1 year, 11 months ago
Update: cross-river conveyor
Mike, the study of economics would suggest that nothing is ever free. However, on occasion something might be included in the price at no additional cost. If that is the case and there is room for two, I would be willing to join you on the trolley. I'll shoot the northern exposure with my camera or if you prefer, we could flip a coin for first dibs. Of course, whoever loses the toss gets to choose the time of day. After all, timing, as in lighting, is everything.
anniebear 1 year, 11 months ago
Update: cross-river conveyor
Wow - interesting, thanks Mike. Looking forward to the pics. of you and Mav on the trolley :)
irwin 1 year, 11 months ago
Update: cross-river conveyor
Everyone ... now my update needs an update. I'll find out if the trolley is still there, if it still works, and when it might trundle across the river again. I'll keep you posted.
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