A unique feature of the Albeni Falls dam was a log chute, designed to move logs through the dam. Log drives had been an annual springtime activity in this timber country for nearly fifty years. The last river drive occurred in 1949, just prior to the construction of the dam.
Despite the end of free running log drives, timber companies still depended on water transportation to move many of their logs. With a number of major mills downstream from the dam, the log chute became an important feature at Albeni Falls. The first logs passed through in August 1953. During the next few months, four million feet of logs moved through the tunnel to the downstream side of the dam.
Further information on the timber industry in Northern Idaho
