Over the past several years, many parks around the world have decided to remove their flume rides.
But I’m here today to come to the defense of the lowly log flume, even though they rarely defend me from their chlorinated waters.
Much like the roller coaster, the log flume has become an integral part of any amusement or theme park. Invented by Karl Bacon and Ed Morgan of Arrow Development in the 1963, the flume came about after hearing of stories of loggers riding trunks as they traversed the narrow, fast troughs of water.

Photo credit: Nancy Bacon-Francks. Used with permission.
But with the rise of water parks, many companies are making the choice to eliminate the flume – because of on-going maintenance and operating costs.
Here’s why they should reconsider:

Flumes are still very popular; this is an hour-long wait for Logger’s Run at California’s Great America.
- Flumes are multi-purpose:
Any good amusement park should have three different types of water rides: A spillwater, white water rapid and a flume. Two of the three are just about guaranteed to get you soaked.
But a flume is different.
Don’t want to be soaked but want to cool down? Then you go on the flume.
It’s also a great ride EVERYONE can enjoy in the family. From the kids to grandma and grandpa, you can share the experience of a log ride. You can’t do that with a water park.
- Flumes aren’t water parks:
Unlike a water park, you don’t need to change clothes to go to and from a log flume. There’s no need for a locker and they have wonderful capacity compared to a waterslide.
Guests get more bang for their buck, too – as flumes tend to be one of the longest length attractions in most parks.

They were invented here, in America. In fact, they were invented less than 10 miles from where I currently type. The first one was so popular at Six Flags Over Texas, they built a second one to handle the crowds.
They suck in tons of people on hot days and provide some of the best photo opportunities for any park photographer.

There is no better place to snap a funny photo than the log flume…
Most importantly, they are part of the fabric that keeps parks together. Removing a flume is like removing a coaster these day – and every one that has been removed has been sorely missed.
Simply put, the flume deserves to be preserved – and revered.
***
What do you think – are the days of the log flume numbered? Tell me in the comments section or on my social media links!
July 26, 2016 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Legacy of Arrow Development, Theme Parks | Tags: american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, arrow, Arrow Development, great america, great american thrills, hydroflume, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, log flume, log ride, ride removal, ride rumor, theme park, theme park review | 1 Comment
All this week, we’re been posting a new graphic, both here and on all our social media channels, that features a milestone moment in Arrow’s history.
Today’s post is of Ron Toomer, Arrow’s first engineer and the man behind some of the most iconic steel coasters ever built. While the company may be best remembered for their rides – remember that without the people behind them, they would have most certainly never have existed.

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT or SHARE with the amusement park fans in your life – and don’t forget that “The Legacy of Arrow Development” premieres THIS SATURDAY at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Tickets are still available here: bit.ly/ArrowTixSJ
See you there tomorrow evening!
January 22, 2016 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Legacy of Arrow Development, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: #LegacyofArrow, #RideWithACE, 4th dimension, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, amusement park review, arrow, arrow dynamics, coaster, corkscrew, disney parks, disneyland, El Aserradero, film premiere, flume, great american thrills, Knott's, Knott's Berry Farm, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, log flume, lost parks, magic mountain, Montgomery Theater, roller coaster, ron toomer, san jose, silicon valley, six flags, six flags magic mountain, six flags over texas, Team San Jose, The Legacy of Arrow Development, theme park, theme park review, things to do, things to do in san jose, X | Comments Off on The Seven Days of Arrow Development – Day 7
All this week, we’re been posting a new graphic, both here and on all our social media channels, that features a milestone moment in Arrow’s history.
Today’s post is of X at Six Flags Magic Mountain – the world’s first 4th Dimension coaster and the last coaster Arrow ever built.
Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT or SHARE with the amusement park fans in your life – and don’t forget that “The Legacy of Arrow Development” premieres THIS SATURDAY at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Tickets are still available here: bit.ly/ArrowTixSJ
See you there on Saturday!
January 21, 2016 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Legacy of Arrow Development, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: #LegacyofArrow, #RideWithACE, 4th dimension, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, amusement park review, arrow, arrow dynamics, coaster, corkscrew, disney parks, disneyland, El Aserradero, film premiere, flume, great american thrills, Knott's, Knott's Berry Farm, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, log flume, lost parks, magic mountain, Montgomery Theater, roller coaster, san jose, silicon valley, six flags, six flags magic mountain, six flags over texas, Team San Jose, The Legacy of Arrow Development, theme park, theme park review, things to do, things to do in san jose, X | Comments Off on The Seven Days of Arrow Development – Day 6
All this week, we’re going to post a new graphic, both here and on all our social media channels, that features a milestone moment in Arrow Development’s history.
Today’s post is of Magnum XL-200, the world’s first hypercoaster (200+ feet) and a throwback to the out and back wooden coasters of the 1920’s. It’s also considered by many as the moment the “coaster wars” officially began.

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT or SHARE with the amusement park fans in your life – and don’t forget that “The Legacy of Arrow Development” premieres THIS SATURDAY at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Tickets are still available here: bit.ly/ArrowTixSJ
See you there on Saturday!
January 20, 2016 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Legacy of Arrow Development, Theme Parks | Tags: #LegacyofArrow, #RideWithACE, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, amusement park review, arrow, arrow dynamics, corkscrew, disney parks, disneyland, El Aserradero, film premiere, flume, great american thrills, Knott's, Knott's Berry Farm, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, log flume, lost parks, Montgomery Theater, roller coaster, san jose, silicon valley, six flags, six flags over texas, Team San Jose, The Legacy of Arrow Development, theme park, theme park review, things to do, things to do in san jose | Comments Off on The Seven Days of Arrow Development – Day 5
All this week, we’re going to post a new graphic, both here and on all our social media channels, that features a milestone moment in Arrow Development’s history.
Today’s post is of the Corkscrew – the world’s first modern looping roller coaster:

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT or SHARE with the amusement park fans in your life – and don’t forget that “The Legacy of Arrow Development” premieres THIS SATURDAY at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Tickets are still available here: bit.ly/ArrowTixSJ
See you there on Saturday!
January 19, 2016 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Legacy of Arrow Development, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: #iHeartCP, #LegacyofArrow, #RideWithACE, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, amusement park review, arrow, arrow dynamics, Cedar Point, corkscrew, disney parks, disneyland, El Aserradero, film premiere, flume, great american thrills, hypercoaster, Knott's, Knott's Berry Farm, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, log flume, lost parks, Magnum XL-200, Montgomery Theater, roller coaster, san jose, silicon valley, six flags, six flags over texas, Team San Jose, The Legacy of Arrow Development, theme park, theme park review, things to do, things to do in san jose | Comments Off on The Seven Days of Arrow Development – Day 4
All this week, we’re going to post a new graphic, both here and on all our social media channels, that features a milestone moment in Arrow Development’s history.
Today’s graphic features El Aserradero – the world’s first log flume. Built only using scale models and slide rules, the flume has become a mainstay of parks around the world!

Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT or SHARE with the amusement park fans in your life – and don’t forget that “The Legacy of Arrow Development” premieres THIS SATURDAY at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Tickets are still available here: bit.ly/ArrowTixSJ
See you there on Saturday!
January 18, 2016 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Legacy of Arrow Development, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: #LegacyofArrow, #RideWithACE, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, amusement park review, arrow, arrow dynamics, disney parks, disneyland, El Aserradero, film premiere, flume, great american thrills, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, log flume, lost parks, Montgomery Theater, roller coaster, san jose, silicon valley, six flags, six flags over texas, Team San Jose, The Legacy of Arrow Development, theme park, theme park review, things to do, things to do in san jose | Comments Off on The Seven Days of Arrow Development – Day Three