06/28/2025
One of the main attractions in our charming museum…Behold, the Great Flume!
In 1891, a lumberman named C.B. Shaver made his way to the Central Valley and established the Fresno Flume and Irrigation Company, located in the present-day spots of Clark Intermediate School and the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. By 1892, construction on the 42-mile long flume began and was completed by 1894. It cost $200,000 and required 9 million feet of board to construct.
Around the same time, the company built a small dam across Stevenson Creek, and the original lake that successfully formed became known as Shaver Lake. From Shaver Lake to Clovis, the flume was used to transport lumber and water down from the mountains. 12 Flume Houses were built along the flume with stationed workers to help with maintenance and unclogging jams. The lumber industry became a major aspect of Clovis commerce. However, the Shaver’s company would close its doors in 1914 after heavy snow storms damaged the flume to such an extent it would have been too costly to fix. Today, we house a piece of that very flume! Donated by Nick Ubick, it is a prized possession in our museum!
Information provided by the Clovis Big Dry Creek Historical Society.
