Water crib
Water cribs are offshore structures that collect water from close to the bottom of a lake to supply a pumping station onshore. The name crib is derived from the function of the structure—to surround and protect the intake shaft. Water cribs were built extensively in the Great Lakes region, as the hardrock bottoms of these water bodies provided ideal foundations.[1] Cities supplied with drinking water collected by water cribs include Chicago, Illinois, where two of the nine originally built cribs are in active use.[2] Water cribs were also used as residences for caretakers who would live in the structure year round. Jobs included clearing debris and maintaining valves, gears, and instruments to keep the water flowing. These jobs have since been automated leaving no need for a full time keeper.[3]
Major cities with water cribs
City | Active cribs | Source |
---|---|---|
Buffalo | — | Lake Erie |
Chicago | 2 | Lake Michigan |
Cleveland[4] | — |
Lighthouse use
Water cribs were also used as a lighthouse foundation type. These wooden cribs were constructed onshore then towed to the site where they were filled with stone so they sank in place. The crib was then leveled and capped with concrete or masonry on which the lighthouse structure was constructed.[1] The Buffalo Intake Crib Lighthouse, and Dunne Crib Lighthouse are two examples of this type of structure.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b "History of the Lighthouse Service and Lighthouse Construction Types" (PDF). www.nps.gov. p. 8-9. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- ^ "2014 DWM Capital Plan" (PDF). City of Chicago. City of Chicago. 2014. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
- ^ Ignazio Messina (August 23, 2015). "Toledo water intake crib was once a home". www.toledoblade.com. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
- ^ "Walking on Cleveland water crib that pumps millions of gallons to city and suburbs". 10News. 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
- ^ "EcoTrack 11: Where does our drinking water come from?". www.wtol.com. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
- ^ "Buffalo Intake Crib Lighthouse". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
- ^ "68th Street Crib (Dunne Crib) Lighthouse". Lighthousefriends. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
External links
Media related to Water cribs at Wikimedia Commons