Niagara Heights Water Wheel Christmas
by Wes and Dotty Weber
Title
Niagara Heights Water Wheel Christmas
Artist
Wes and Dotty Weber
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
In 1973, Henry “Hank” Hiebert, a logger at the time, built his home in Niagara, Oregon on a spot near the North Santiam River. Across the highway to the north is a large red water wheel, easily seen from the highway, which was built by Mike Adams Construction in Stayton, Or. in 1984. It was built in sections and assembled on site, for a price of $8000. It is constructed entirely of steel, but it is not the first wheel.
The first wheel was made of wood and was about the same size as the current wheel. It is unclear whether Hiebert and his brothers built this one, or if it was built by a man named Tommy Sned, in Grande Ronde, Or. This wheel failed because it was too heavy for the two large bearings that supported it. Perhaps water soaked into the wood.
The current wheel is powered by water coming down a pipe from Niagara Creek, and originates at a point which is higher than the wheel. The water then goes up a large pipe, which is part of the support structure, and pours out onto the top of the wheel. The water right was granted in 1989, and the reason stated on the application was “aesthetics”. As the wheel turns, the water falls onto the huge slab of concrete which supports the wheel, and then goes back to the creek, so the water is being “borrowed”, rather than appropriated.
Uploaded
January 18th, 2020
Statistics
Viewed 397 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 04/23/2024 at 3:45 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (2)
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Randy Rosenberger
Congratulations for having this great piece of artwork chosen to be featured in our Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. I am proud to be able to support and promote all artists within our group. I very much enjoyed viewing the masterfully done piece from you portfolio to show off to all other artists and to attract perspective buyers. Thanks for sharing your beautiful artwork with all FAA members. Well worthy of this recognition.