chapter 398

8/27/2015

Spier Falls

the Italians were just a number

Got up early to do this segment. Hydro projects are usually required to provide public water access to a limited extent. Canadian firm Brookfield in Gatineau, QC operates the Sherman Island dam just around the corner. We  fished on their Canadian Reservoirs in olden days. Leased by Erie Blvd LLC / Niagara Mohawk / National Grid.

Very peaceful, limited access land owned by NY and private Hydro power companies. A little disorienting as I paddle upstream because the Hudson River flows north east here. Moreau State Park land to the left, some Adirondack Park land to the right. 

The Sun illuminated this little mid stream island as I paddled upstream.

Cormorants were just resting upstream of the Sherman Island dam restricted area. There is a portage on river right (navigation speak going downstream) just past the Stay Away signs.

Spier Falls dam was the largest hydro power dam in the world when it was built in 1903. Several workers (of the 1700) died when their ferry boat capsized trying to cross this river to reach the work site. The non-English speaking workers lived in shanties on the Saratoga shore line and took the scow across a ferry rope line just downstream of my location. 

Two days later the wife of one victim took her own life in Warrensburg.

Most of the laborers seemed to have been generally referred to by a number rather than a name. Looked for some kind of memorial to the workmen, up to 25 had perished during the construction. Found none. Just a different time and a different risk level. It's a spiritual place.

Water depths upstream of the dam reach up to 135 feet.

Chapman Historical Museum good historical summary. Dam is 1570 feet across 147 feet high with 64 feet below river bed.

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