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Extracts' Weir Extracts' Weir was built in 1951 to provide cooling water for the boilers at nearby "Industrial Extracts Ltd", a business which produced a wood extract, used mainly in the leather tanning industry.  Originally the water was thirty feet deep behind the weir and it was the local swimming hole fitted out with diving board and jetty. Nowadays it is much shallower due to the silt brought down by the river over the years. The factory closed in 1971 as it became uneconomic. Early 1990's: the weir consisted of a jagged pile of rocks but with a pronounced chute down the middle. This pic is 1992 Descent, a low year. Click on pic for zoom of paddler. Here's the weir during full flood - the 1991 Descent - very dangerous. Click on pic for zoom of paddlers. In the mid 1990's work was carried out to even out the weir after a near-tragedy there during the 1991 Descent in the full flood conditions. Here's what was created - what you see today as well:- A low year. There was a bit more water in 1998:- In 2002 rubber pipes were installed by power boaters - the 'Vinidex Chute'. They caused grief for paddlers, particularly in low years! Go here to see close-ups, just after they were installed. Paddlers were dubious. (Chute photos courtesy Roger Smith) The above paddlers are all experienced Descenters attempting to avoid a portage (but not pipe paddlers)! Here's another 'mishap'! Fortunately the pipes (needless to say, unpopular with paddlers) were considered environmentally insensitive and were removed before long. As I write this in June, 2008, the weir is back to its late nineties self - a challenge for the more competitive paddlers in fragile boats and easily avoided by others - a welcome portage during the long haul from Northam. (Except where indicated photos by R. Khorshid.)

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