Log Flume

The Flume at Alton Towers

A log flume is a type of water ride where logs or boats are propelled around a trough by the water flowing through it.

Traditionally, the vehicles used resemble logs and seat up to four passengers inline.

Originally a permanent attraction, log flumes are also now a popular travelling ride.

History

The modern log flume was inspired by the artificial log flumes constructed in the United States in the 19th century. They consisted of a watertight trough which used flowing water to transport lumber and logs downhill across mountainous terrain. On occasion, workers would ride log flumes either to inspect it, as a means of transportation, or reportedly just for fun.

The first modern log flume ride was El Aserradero at Six Flags Over Texas. Opened in 1963, it was built by Arrow Development, who went on to sell over forty more log flumes in the next twenty years. In 1980, the first log flume from Hopkins opened. Hopkins went on to develop the Super Flume, a log flume with larger boats that could seat eight riders in four rows of two.

Products

Similar rides

The Shoot the Chute ride type has larger boats than the log flume and generally has a single large drop whereas most log flume rides have multiple drops and meandering layouts.

Images