Near Sumpter in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Anchoring the Dredge

The Biggest Spud You Ever Saw

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017

1. Anchoring the Dredge Marker

Caption: (right center) By loosening or tightening the bow lines at the front of the dredge, the operator could make "sweeps: in and arc, taking 110-foot "bites" out of the land with the bucket line. The spud stabilized the dredge and acted as a pivot point of the back end as the from end swung from side to sided and the bucket line scooped up material. When the dredge was ready to move to the nest location, the operator hoisted the spud and dragged the dredge forward with cables. Then he dropped the spud, burying it once again in the pond bottom.

Inscription. As you look at the tailings in an aerial photograph or along the road, you'll see that they're played out in neat lines. Why are they straight? Because the dredge had an "anchor" to keep it going forward in a line, rather than wandering over the landscape.
The dredge "anchor" at the back end of the dredge was a 42-ton steel I-beam called a spud.

Erected by Oregon State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 44° 44.551′ N, 118° 12.287′ W. Marker is near Sumpter, Oregon, in Baker County. Marker can be reached from Austin Street near Mill Street (County Route 410), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Austin Street, Sumpter OR 97877, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Tale of the Tailings (within shouting distance of this marker); A Working Dredge (within shouting distance of this marker); Floating in its own pond (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Golden History (about 600 feet away); Site of Bank of Sumpter (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sumpter, Oregon (approx. 0.4 miles away).

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The marker is located on the trail that circles the dredge pond.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017

2. Anchoring the Dredge Marker

The spud is located at the back (stern) of the dredge, above the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.