Wiktionary
n. 1 A flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. 2 (context by extension English) An amusement park ride where passengers sit in a hollow log and travel along a track or circuit powered mostly by the flow of water.
Wikipedia
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes. The use of log flumes facilitated the quick and cheap transportation of logs and thereby eliminated the need for horse- or oxen-drawn carriages on dangerous mountain trails.
Early flumes were square chutes that were prone to jams that could cause damage and required constant maintenance. In 1868, James W. Haines first built the "V" shaped log flumes that allowed a jammed log to free itself as the rising water level in the flume pushed it up. These efficient flumes consisted of 2 boards, wide, joined perpendicularly, and came in common use in the western United States during the late 19th century.
The longest log flume was reputedly the Kings River Flume in Sanger, California. Built in 1890 by the Kings River Lumber Company, it spanned over from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the lumber yard and railroad depot in Sanger. Together with a constant water supply from a nearby reservoir, the flume enabled the efficient transportation of boards of lumber over deep gorges and cliffs and thereby opened up the area now known as Sequoia National Forest for clearcutting of the giant Redwood forests. Proper operation was ensured by "flume herders" who at various locations along the flume checked the flow of lumber and water.
On occasion, despite being exceedingly dangerous, flume herders and others would ride down the flume in small crafts or boats, either for inspection or for thrills. Such rides were the precursor of the modern log-ride amusement park attractions.
Log flumes (colloquially known as log rides) are amusement rides consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs or boats. Passengers sit in the logs, which are propelled along the flume by the flow of water.
The ride usually culminates with a rapid descent and splashdown into a body of water, which may happen more than once (normally the largest drop being just before the end). It provides people with an entertaining way to get wet and cool off on a hot summer day, with certain seating sections usually being splashed with more water for a more exciting and wet ride.
Most log flume rides have a height restriction.
Usage examples of "log flume".
When it forms a big enough pond, we're going to build a log flume from it down here to the mill.
The ceaseless plunging and tilting was like riding Space Mountain while half submerged on the biggest log flume in the universe—.
Now he clung, slipped, and down he went, like a log flume ride, past another opening, and another, and then I couldn't see him anymore.
I could go into the mountains and work the log flume, or follow the river and drive the logs down, but that would mean leaving my mother alone.
Whether you're on a Disney ocean liner or a Disney log flume or the eighteenth fairway of a Disney golf course, you can be pretty sure nobody's going to sneak up and stick a real .
Surf surges onto the beach and the sound is mingled with the rhythmic tick, tick, tick of the spinning game wheels and the highpitched Eeeeeeee of thrill seekers being hurtled down the log flume.
The ceaseless plunging and tilting was like riding Space Mountain while half submerged on the biggest log flume in the universe.