AHSAHKA, Idaho – Dworshak Dam Visitor Center staff invites the public to attend a “Log Drive Day” event on Sunday, June 12, at the visitor center theater, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at the dam announced today.
“The North Fork of the Clearwater River used to be a log transport river, and we would like to recognize past and present log drive participants who committed themselves to the hard work that helped build and shape the Pacific Northwest,” said Dworshak Park Ranger Connie Grant-Howell.
Retired Potlatch Industries Logger Tia Pomponio and Rusty Eck, retired Clearwater Timber Protective Association staff member, will share their collection of pre-mechanized logging gear and artifacts, and discuss the Clearwater’s river-borne, log-driving history.
On Sunday, June 12, the following log drive-themed activities are scheduled:
· 2:30 p.m. –Tia Pomponio and Rusty Eck, local log drive historians – presentations, photographs and log-drive equipment displays.
· 3 p.m. – film presentation, “From Stump to Ship.” This black and white film shows an historic account of the earliest log drives in the U.S., which originated in the State of Maine. It includes footage of felling trees with cross-cut saws, hauling logs to mills with horses and loading logs aboard ships for transport.
· 3:30 p.m. – discussion, question and answer session with Tia Pomponio and Rusty Eck.
· 4 p.m. – two film presentations, “Clearwater Drive,” and “Last of Priest River Logging Operations.” Both films show historic footage of the final days of Idaho log drives.
· 5 p.m. – Viewers’ Choice film showing: audience vote will decide between “Last of the Log Drives” or “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar.”
The Visitor Center will remain open until 6:30 p.m. to accommodate the public during the presentations.
For more information about programs, facilities access, recreation opportunities or activities available at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir, call (208) 476-1255; or stop by the Visitor Center, open daily through Labor Day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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