About Waste Weir at Stryker’s


July 29, 2016
Author: Jim Lee III

Narrated by,
Jim Lee Jr.




Narrative

About Waste Weir at Stryker’s


July 29, 2016
Author: Jim Lee III

Narrated by,
Jim Lee Jr.




Narrative

About Waste Weir at Stryker’s

About Waste Weir at Stryker’s

The ruins of a waste weir are located between Stryker’s Road and the bottom of Plane 9 West that helped regulate the level of water in the canal.

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The ruins of a waste weir are situated just off of Stryker’s Road. When the canal was in use this weir held timber gates that helped control the level of water in the canal. Because the waters of Lopatcong Creek were combined with the canal at the bottom of Plane 9 West a weir would have been necessary to provide for a release of water when Lopatcong Creek was high or flooding. A waste gate was located between this weir and the bottom or Plane 9 West but it seems that this small structure was not sufficient to draw water off of the canal. Flooding could erode the banks of the canal and cause breaches. In addition, during winter months when the canal was not in operation sections of the canal would be dewatered and repaired. Channeling the waters of the creek away from the canal prism would have been necessary during these periods. A simple gate that boards could be slid into was present just south of the waste weir across the canal that allowed for the dewatering of this section of the canal without having to water a much larger area. Since this feature is located on the towpath bank of the canal a timber bridge spanned the 76 feet between the two abutments carrying mules and people over the weir. One of the abutments is made of mortared stone, while the other is concrete. The concrete abutment suggests that it was repaired during the early 20th-century. A small shed with a chimney was also located on the towpath just south of this weir, probably to shelter a canal worker stationed here during potential flood events.


Explore Historic Morris Canal
Plane 9 West Sites

About Plane 9

About Plane 9

This site is the former home of the late James S. Lee, Sr. (pictured left), Morris Canal author and historian. Plan 9 West is located on Rt. 519 1/2 mile south of Route 57 intersection east of Phillipsburg. The address for obtaining directions is 477 County Route 519, Stewartsville NJ 08886. Some facts about Plane…

Canal Prism (West of Stryker’s Road)

Canal Prism (West of Stryker’s Road)

The prism is the watered channel of the canal that carried boats between the canal’s locks and inclined planes.

Bridge abutment

Bridge abutment

This stone bridge abutment elevated Morris Canal Bridge #6 over the canal so that boats could pass underneath.

Waste Weir at Stryker’s

Waste Weir at Stryker’s

The ruins of a waste weir are located between Stryker’s Road and the bottom of Plane 9 West that helped regulate the level of water in the canal.

Brakeman’s House

Brakeman’s House

The Brakeman’s house is probably the original plane tender’s house for Plane 9 West.

Plane Tender’s House

Plane Tender’s House

The two-family Plane Tender’s House was built around 1850 for the plane tender and his family as well as another canal employee.

Bottom of the Plane

Bottom of the Plane

Canal boats were loaded on and off of cradle cars that carried the boats on rails up the inclined plane.

Tailrace

Tailrace

The tailrace carried water exhausted from the turbine down to the bottom of the inclined plane.

Top of Turbine Chamber

Top of Turbine Chamber

At the top of the turbine chamber there was a large wooden structure known as the Power House.