Water Source for Chatter Creek Lodges

A branch of Chatter Creek runs beside the lodges. First passing close to Spruce Lodge, it runs nearby  Solitude and Vertebrae Lodges as it makes its way down the slope to join Chatter Creek, just below the lodge site.  The stream flows all year and provides the lodges their  water.

Taken from a point not far above Spruce Lodge, the lodge water flows through a 4 inch main that lies on the surface.  A 2 inch bleeder located near  Vertebrae Lodge terminus is supposed to provide enough flow to "guarantee" the water main never freezes.  Or at least, so said the engineer.  Mother Nature had another plan and the water main has frozen at some time each winter.  On those occasions, the bleeder was used to supply Vertebrae Lodge and life went on.

There is a plan to use the creek to drive a pelton wheel so as to generate a portion of the electrical power requirements.  This environmentally friendly approach will save diesel fuel and reduce wear on generators.