1

The abundance of lakes and rivers in the Shuswap area has played significant roles in transporting logs, horses and logging equipment to and from the forests.

The Adams River Lumber Company built flumes deep inside the forest which could send logs to more accessible waterways so that booms could be towed to the sawmills by stern wheel boats. The flumes employed structurally engineered curves with precise grades which ensured the logs could travel to their destinations. The flumes were supported by trestles crossing ravines and canyons high above the forest floor.

2

The Bear Creek Flume with a crew of men
1912-1925
Adams Lake Area, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Grant Munson

3

Head of Brennan Creek Flume
1918
Adams Lake Area, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Walter F. Montgomery

4

Initially stern wheel boats such as the "A.R. Helen" towed booms of logs to their destinations. The stern wheel boats burned cordwood for fuel and were slow and cumbersome.

Gas launches replaced the stern wheel boats. Launches could push scows or barges carrying men, horses, and later, logging equipment and fuel to camps along the lakes where logging was taking place. The launches were necessary for transporting supplies and goods to camps unaccessible by road.


5

"A.R. Helen" towing a boom of logs on Adams Lake
1908-1925
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Walter F. Montgomery

6

Moving livestock by scow
c1927-1950
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


7

"Nola" at the Squam Bay Wharf
c1940
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

8

Transporting logging equipment by barge
c1950
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

9

.An average boom consisted of approximately 100 truck loads of logs. Steel-hulled tugs were also better suited for breaking ice on the lakes as well as sorting logs in the booms before transporting them to the mill.

10

"Stradi VII" and "Dwaina II"
c1960
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


11

Dave Fraser and later, his son Frank, provided various boat services on Adams Lake, British Columbia for over 70 years. Although tug boats and booms are still used today, most logs are transported to various sawmills by logging trucks.