Paugan Dam Old Log Chute

INFORMATION

The Paugan Dam, built between 1926 and 1932, was a significant development for the community of Low. Nellie McLaughlin (née Foley) recalled the transformation it brought to the area, noting that it significantly boosted local prosperity, with many farmers upgrading their teams and buildings as a result. Before the dam was constructed, church picnics were held south of the Paugan waterfall, a spot that was almost unrecognizable after the dam was finished.

The construction of the dam was not without its challenges. One notable incident involved a serious accident during the diversion of the Gatineau River into a bypass. A worker mistakenly opened a central gate instead of a side gate, causing a boom of logs to be pulled through and resulting in the tragic drowning of two men.

Despite such setbacks, the dam became a cornerstone of the village's economy. At its peak, it employed 125 men, with 75 working on the booms alone. By 1990, the workforce had dwindled to fewer than twenty, with plans to phase out the operations completely in the near future. The dam is now crossed by a protected road, and the best time to view the waterfall in its full glory is early May. The crossing, which was once perilous, is now a relatively straightforward journey. In the past, farmers working on the dam were paid 60 cents an hour if they provided a team of horses, and 20 cents otherwise—a rate much higher than what many farmers earned in a day.

For those affected by the dam's construction, such as the farmers whose land was acquired by the Gatineau Power Company, the financial settlements were generally satisfactory. The river’s expansion backed up to Lac Ste. Marie, causing some farmers to relocate. The Ryan family, for instance, remembers how the rising water level eventually submerged the lower floor of their home, necessitating a move by boat from the upper floor.

Andy Brennan, a young man of twenty-two in May 1928, had a particularly memorable experience. The foreman of the construction, Neil Stewart, sought someone to drive a team of horses across the dam, which at that time lacked guard rails. Although the older teamsters refused to take the risk, Andy agreed. His willingness led to a significant insurance policy being taken out for both him and his horses. Over the next six months, Andy made six trips daily across the narrow, unprotected dam. Despite the danger—such as dynamite blasts occasionally sending stones flying—Andy’s team never faltered. A horse was injured once, but Andy managed to care for it with some ointment. The foreman, appreciating Andy’s dedication and the risks involved, suggested using a different horse while the injured one healed. Andy’s trust in Stewart was evident, and he reflected positively on the foreman’s approach to managing such a hazardous task.

The log drive on the Gatineau River is a fascinating piece of local history, highlighting both the challenges and innovations in the timber industry. For over 150 years, the river was the lifeblood of log transportation, with logs making their way downstream through various methods.
Before the construction of the Paugan Dam in 1926, the river’s natural rapids played a crucial role in moving logs. This was a time of great danger, with log drives being perilous and often deadly due to unpredictable log jams and treacherous conditions. The rough nature of the rapids meant that log drivers had to contend with a constantly shifting environment, making their work both physically demanding and hazardous.
With the advent of the Paugan Dam and the subsequent regulation of the river’s flow, the dynamics of the log drive changed significantly. The dam slowed the river considerably, necessitating new methods to manage and transport the logs. This is where the tugboats came into play. By towing the log booms and maintaining their movement, tugboats became indispensable to the operation. They allowed for a more controlled and safer log drive, helping to mitigate the risks that had been a constant before the dam’s construction.
The image of tugboats navigating the misty morning waters with their heavy cargo of logs provides a vivid snapshot of how technology adapted to the changing conditions of the river. This shift not only transformed the log drive into a more manageable operation but also marked a significant change in the relationship between the river and the people who depended on it.
Location ID #BR0130