Log Flume daily safety checks

I am quite aware of the extensive safety walkthroughs that roller coasters go through each morning, but is that the same for log flumes? Do workers navigate the track/guiderails in fisherman's boots? I know the water on the drop is off, yet the water inside the straight parts (like in dudley doo right, when you are inside the mountain and such) stands stagnant, right? or do they drain the whole ride and refill it every day (using the same water of course)

I assume on Dudley that the water in the splash-down pool remains, but I suspect it most definitely is drained in the trough everywhere else. At that point it's probably just about walking it.

At SFoG, all the water runs to a runoff pool on our log flume, where it is pumped back into the ride when it is started up. All flumes run downhill to a point where they are drained, so I would assume that most, if not all are drained nightly, by design and by the simple force of gravity.

I had always imagined that e-stopping a water ride would result in the water draining like a toilet, for some reason. Wasn't nearly as fun to do as I thought It was going to be :(.

Log flumes receive a pretty close inspection....usually involves walking the trough and the lifts and drops...greasing gears and motors...checking for cracks in the fiberglass troughs...inspecting belts and rolls...checking for loose wheels, handrails, seats etc.. in the boats..cracks or holes...etc etc etc..i'd say its pretty extensive..lol *** Edited 1/22/2005 5:47:06 AM UTC by JND***

Has anyone seen the Travel Channel special on Dollywood? It provides a good glimpse into the backstage operations for a Flume.

Flumes get the same treatment as a coaster. Lift belts are checked, pumps are horse power rated, the lift hill has anti roll backs that must be 100%. If one is out, the state can close you. You need every pump on, so basically, that ride has to be 100%. If the belst are not perfectly alligned, they will wear and eventually tear.

Every boat needs checked for cracks, and yes, the run out has that track that needs attention now and then. AND, most important, water quality is critical. You wouldn't want dirty water splashed in your face.

You've never seen the water on White Water landing at CP, have you? ;)

Flumes are checked much like a coaster. Maintenance and supervisors walk the troughs because at least at some parks they do drain in about 5 minutes. The pumps just take another 5 minutes to pump it back in. Boats are checked for padding, wheel assemblies, anti-rollbacks. All controls are checked for brakes, lifts, pumps, e-stops etc. Its amazing of all what gets checked every morning at a park because every ride has a checklist to go through.

I've overheard the team leaders on WWL talking about block checks in the morning and how much of a pain it is to do it. Other than that, I'n not sure what all they check on a daily basis.

Turbo I have heard the water for dudley and bilge rat barges drain into the lagoon when the pumps are off.

In the morning the lagoon level drops because when they start the pumps all that water causes the water level in lagoon to go down.

It is pretty smart to do that they have to store that water anyway so they use it to theme the islands also.

So Whitewater Landing inheireted the atributes of Shoot the Rapids, eh? The water came straight out of Lake Erie. Had to replace shoes a couple a times a season, and socks monthly cause they rotted out.

Turbo I don't know if you realize this, but some parks are open all night long (24hours) checking ALL the rides.

Both you clowns are wrong. Shoot the Rapids water supply was from Sandusky Bay, not Lake Erie. WWL gets good old fashion Sandusky Tap water. Thunder Canyon gets its water from Sandusky Bay, and Snake River Falls is alos city water.

WWL is dirty because they have not cleaned under the intake pumps as thourough as they used to do before, and they have not updated the filtration system since the ride is on its last legs.

STR water quality was terrible, but it was a learning experience, as it was built in-house. The water pretty much deteriated the wood troughs. Thunder Canyon has a pretty decent pump and filter process.

WWL has a fail-safe Westinghouse electrical system that uses photo cells to space boats, like coaster type blocks. It has malfunctioned as of late. The ride needs an entire overhaul, which probably will happen if they keep it, or move it. They got their money out of it. *** Edited 1/23/2005 7:03:23 PM UTC by Agent Johnson***

Just where does the water in Sandusky Bay come from? Last time I looked it was from Lake Erie.

Actually, the water itself on WWL isn't all that dirty, it's the flumes. I don't think they've been thouroughly cleaned in years. As much chlorine is pumped into the water on it, there's nothing to fear. Thunder Canyon on the other hand comes from the lake, thus the more pungent smell.

LOL @ Dutchman.:)

Don't they have one of those ropes with the little buoys on to keep the bay and the lake separated?

Yeah.. the buoys really keep the water separated too.. :)

Dutchman, the water in Sandusky Bay comes from the Sandusky River. The water from Sandusky Bay empties into Lake Erie, not the other way around. Sure some water is moved around by the wind and waves, but generally the water is moving from the bay to the lake.