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PB the Cairn
Lochwinnoch
The purpose of the site is to help those new to the village to connect with its past and for those who have left for pastures new to remember what was left behind
Wooden Dam Breast
Wooden Dam Breast 1
First of 4 photographs of the wooden dam breast. This was the weir that diverted water into the lade which fed the Calderbank bleach mill. It was located about 150m upstream from the mill.
Wooden Dam Breast 2
Second of 4 photographs of the wooden dam breast. In the top half of the photograph on the right can be seen two white streaks. These are overflows from the Black Dam cascading into the wooden dam breast reservoir.
Wooden Dam Breast 3
Third of 4 photographs of the wooden dam breast. Taken from the same viewpoint as the previous photograph but with a slower shutter speed to give to water a more silky appearance.
On the left hand side of the dam can be seen an iron bar supporting the structure. This bar is visible in later photographs bend back on itself presumably caused when the dam was swept away.
On the left hand side of the dam can be seen an iron bar supporting the structure. This bar is visible in later photographs bend back on itself presumably caused when the dam was swept away.
Wooden Dam Breast 4
This is the last photograph in the sequence showing the wooden dam breast before it was washed away. Much less water flowing down the Calder in this scene. However the fact water continues to flow over the weir during dry spells such as this demonstrates that it maintains a water level high enough for a continuous flow of water into the lade for the purposes of the mill.
This dry spell has provided an opportunity for two young ladies from the village to enjoy sitting on rocks usually submerged.
This dry spell has provided an opportunity for two young ladies from the village to enjoy sitting on rocks usually submerged.
Location of Wooden Dam Breast 1
Amazingly the two young ladies are still sitting on the same rocks!!!! One of life's coincidences. My dad took this shot in April 1988, the two young ladies are Marion McGuire and Sharon Dobbie.
Just above the centre of the photograph in the distance is a rock outcrop with a small rhododendron growing out of it. This provides a good reference point between photographs taken from slightly different viewpoints.
Just above the centre of the photograph in the distance is a rock outcrop with a small rhododendron growing out of it. This provides a good reference point between photographs taken from slightly different viewpoints.
Location of Wooden Dam Breast 2
The same scene as previously but taken in May 2011. The undergrowth made it impossible to take the shot from the same position as my dad. The rocks the girls were sitting on are partially obscured by the branches on the right foreground. The distinctive rock outcrop is right of centre at the top of the image.
Location of Wooden Dam Breast 3
The same scene as previously, taken in June 2023 from the opposite bank of the river. This was the only occasion I've been able to cross the river at this location for this particular viewpoint.
The wooden dam breast impounded the river from a location just above the small waterfall in this photograph. Out of sight and up the bank to the right of the waterfall is the Black Dam. The sluice from the Black Dam fed water into the small reservoir created by the wooden dam breast.
The distinctive rock outcrop with the rhododendron is left of centre.
The wooden dam breast impounded the river from a location just above the small waterfall in this photograph. Out of sight and up the bank to the right of the waterfall is the Black Dam. The sluice from the Black Dam fed water into the small reservoir created by the wooden dam breast.
The distinctive rock outcrop with the rhododendron is left of centre.
Location of Wooden Dam Breast 4
This is a closeup of where the wooden dam breast spanned the river to impound the Calder. One or two artifacts of this structure remain. If you look closely on the opposite bank you may spot an iron bar embedded in a rock and bent at 90 degrees. This would have been part of the structure holding the dam in place and was identified in the third photograph of this gallery.
Location of Wooden Dam Breast 5
A second closeup photograph of where the wooden dam breast was located. This time looking more directly along the line of the wooden dam breast. The iron bar mentioned in the previous photograph can be seen more clearly in this shot. In the foreground is another remnant of the structure which held the dam in place.
The Woodie 1
Taken in June 2023 this is a photograph of the Woodie swimming hole. So named as it is directly behind, and would have been part of, the water impounded by the wooden dam breast. The wooden dam breast might have raised the water level in this pool to just below the rhododendron growing on the distinctive rocky outcrop mentioned in previous photographs.
The Woodie 2
Taken in March 2015 with a slow shutter speed to create a silky appearance to the water. The distinctive rock with its rhododendron takes centre stage.
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