New Years Rain

New Years Rain3rd January 2023

Large log washed down headrace

The heavy rain over New Year raised the water level in the Cairn Beck from where we draw our water supply. Whilst there was no risk of flooding this time, the level of water in the head race was sufficient for it to top the cascade and water to go over the overflow. The level was also high enough to top the control gates for the waterwheel and cause the wheel to turn slowly. The mill when closed down for Christmas was left in a position that if this occurred no damage to the machinery would happen.

When we get these high water levels we tend to get a lot of debris washed down the headrace. Because the spill gate by which we control the level of the water in the headrace is relatively narrow it can get partially blocked reducing the amount of water able to escape from the headrace and so keeping the level artificially high. Over the years we have had also sorts of debris washed down usually small branches and other lengths of wood that get stuck across the gateway. The log that washed down this New Year must be the biggest we have had to date. After a bit of a struggle it has been removed without anyone getting wet.