#496 - Splash Dams
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 44° 16.871 W 116° 04.773
11T E 573446 N 4903515
Splash Dams sign (#496) on Idaho. Hwy. 55.
Waymark Code: WMAT4H
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 02/21/2011
Views: 6
Idaho History Marker #496 about Splash Dams on Idaho Hwy. 55 about 2 miles south of Smiths Ferry.
Marker Name: Splash Dams
Marker Type: Roadside
Marker Text:
Prior to the arrival of the railroad in 1912, the North Fork of the Payette River provided an avenue for logs destined to downstream mills in Horseshoe Bend and Emmett.
In 1903, $100,000 was spent to dynamite open a clear channel in the river. Splash Dams were built to store logs. During the winter of 1903-04, logs were held in a 36-acre pond. In April, the logs were blasted loose when the main dam was opened. Less than half of the logs made it to the mills and four men lost their lives during the log drive. Later, the dams were utilized to float railroad ties. Timber interests were instrumental in the founding of Smiths Ferry and Long Valley.
County: Valley
Group Responsible for Placement: State of Idaho
Marker Number: 496
City: Not listed
Date Dedicated: Not listed
Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
If possible please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location.
Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Idaho history please include that in your log.