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Disgrace
  
location:
Saint John, New Brunswick
 |  | Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
< on 9/11/2005 1:26 AM >
|  | | | Google Earth is invaluable to have when you're looking for infalls/outfalls in a particular city. Sometimes it's tough to pick them out, however.
In any case, I was scanning Halifax's surrounding bodies of waters, searching for an obvious entrance to their storm drain system, and came across this:
It really seems like it must be an infall or an outfall from the way the water seems to specifically connect to it(though the water formation in front of it is odd), but the shadow that the structure casts is causing some confusion. The shadow seems to suggest the structure doesn't jut out from the side of a hill, but actually has some height on the surrounding terrain. You can see the squarish angle of the shadow.
I'd love to hear some opinions on what I'm looking at here. I'm from Saint John, and I'm planning a trip up to check out the Halifax storm drains. And since this requires me hitchhiking, I don't want to make it a wasted effort. ;)
If anyone from Halifax happens to know the spot, it's right on North West Arms Drive(heading North to south), at the end of Crown Drive(the small road heading East from the infall), and just off of Highway 3.
I'd love to know if anyone has already seen this structure, particularly if they know if it's easily accessible.
Thanks in advance.
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maZe
     
location:
Montreal/Moncton/Ottawa
Gender: Female
"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed" - Sean O'Casey
| |  |  | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 1 on 9/11/2005 1:31 AM >
| | | | I don't know about that specific location but just one thing you might want to keep in mind while in Halifax : some of the sea-side land is owned by DND because of the old DND housing complex, subs, boats, docks, power station and other "sensitive" activities.
Have fun on their lands near the water but make sure you don't step on DND land - or at least - be aware that you are. I really doubt you want to piss off the military police and the DND in this post-Sept. 11 era of people seeing terrorists everywhere...
This being said, let me know how your little explo goes. I'll be in Halifax first week end of October.
*=)
Mechfreak57 in the UER chat : "George W. Bush is not perfect. He fucked up the borders and Irak is a shit storm but he's the best we've got. "
Save the world - adopt an American! |
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Disgrace
location:
Saint John, New Brunswick
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 2 on 9/11/2005 1:36 AM >
| | | | Oh, this isn't the sea-side part of Halifax. It's actually, well, here:
It's just on the western edge of the city, and not far from some neighborhood and some residential development(though I suspect the development has concluded since this photo was taken).
That said, I'll definitely keep that in mind, thanks. Last thing I need is to get arrested by the military police. Those guys aren't nice at all.
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darbycrashin
Noble Donor
location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Gender: Female
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 3 on 9/12/2005 12:45 AM >
| | | | i don't know this area at all, but it looks like a building rather then an out/in-fall.. contact reduxzero, he was looking at drains when he was in the area.
also, most of halifax's sewer was running into the harbour. they stopped some of it due to harbour clean up.. i think best place to look would be the Arm
[last edit 9/12/2005 12:47 AM by darbycrashin - edited 1 times]
Flickr http://flickr.com/photos/klandry |
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Disgrace
location:
Saint John, New Brunswick
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 4 on 9/12/2005 10:02 PM >
| | | | Yeah, I'm torn between whether it's a building or an infall. The sharp angle of the shadow might be a trick of the terrain, in that the edge of the shadow might actually just be the edge of a drop-off in the terrain. The thing that makes it the most suspect, however, is the way that it looks as if the water that connects to the structure is a man-made section of the lake. It looks like it was specifically dug out for that purpose.
Also, if it's a building, it lacks an easily seen parking lot or other telling features(as well as parked cars). It's a poor place for a building anyway, given that you can only approach it if you happen to be driving south along that road(there's no way to reach the section heading northward).
So if it is a building, I have no idea what it's for.
Anyway, thanks for the tip on reduxzero, I'll get in contact with him.
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reduxzero
location:
Edmonton, AB
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 5 on 9/13/2005 2:45 PM >
| | | | It's a building, probably with an infall. I never saw this when I was in Halifax, but a bit of internet research has suggested that:
First Chain Lake is the backup water supply for the HRM, and given that this building is at the downstream end- perhaps it has to do with water intake?
Also, check out these photos:
http://www-us.flickr.com/photos/krisgriffon/sets/427842]
Given that he's named this the "old" water house, perhaps the mystery building is the new water house? I suggest you check out the old one as well- might be cool.
General advice on draining in Halifax: Don't bother going just for drains. I only found three explorable pipes when I was there. From what I can tell, most of the drainage system is made up of combined sewers. Also, much of the harbourfront real estate is owned by either large companies, or DND- neither of whom will appreciate you walking around their dockyards. Any drains into the harbour will be tidal, and you'll need tall boots (harbour water is nasty).
reduxzero - DrainsofmyCity |
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Disgrace
location:
Saint John, New Brunswick
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 6 on 9/15/2005 7:47 PM >
| | | | Hey redux.
That's something I hadn't considered. If it's an intake on a backup water supply, I'd assume it's not exactly an easy thing to access. Particularly if it's a recent addition to the system, as you suggest. It would also sort of explain why there appears to be some kind of retaining wall built a short distance from the structure.
In any case, the old water house looks like it might be worth a look, though it's fairly small by appearances. (Notably, there's a stray ] on the end of the URL that's messing the link up)
In any case, when you were looking for drains, did you mainly just check infalls and outfalls? Or did you go so far as to check out manholes in the city as well? I ask because I recently read that a 1km tunnel was built within the last few years beneath the city in addition to the existing infrastructure. It sounds like there might be a number of explorable tunnels that aren't easily accessible.
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maZe
location:
Montreal/Moncton/Ottawa
Gender: Female
"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed" - Sean O'Casey
| | | | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 7 on 9/16/2005 1:17 AM >
| | | | Posted by Disgrace
I recently read that a 1km tunnel was built within the last few years beneath the city in addition to the existing infrastructure. It sounds like there might be a number of explorable tunnels that aren't easily accessible.
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Tunnel expansion of the Casino. Boring thing.
[last edit 9/16/2005 1:18 AM by maZe - edited 1 times]
Mechfreak57 in the UER chat : "George W. Bush is not perfect. He fucked up the borders and Irak is a shit storm but he's the best we've got. "
Save the world - adopt an American! |
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darbycrashin
Noble Donor
location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Gender: Female
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 8 on 9/16/2005 2:35 AM >
| | | | the tunnels underground halifax are really hard to get into. a friend recently took me to one accessable to a local bar.. it went about 3-4 meters and was completely bricked off.
Flickr http://flickr.com/photos/klandry |
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Disgrace
location:
Saint John, New Brunswick
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 9 on 9/16/2005 5:30 AM >
| | | | Posted by maZe
Tunnel expansion of the Casino. Boring thing.
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I could possibly be mistaken, but I believe the tunnel in question was a storm drain. So unless the casino needed a kilometer of additional run-off drain, I'm thinking it's not the same thing. Unfortunately, I forgot to save the article. Perhaps I'll take another look for it, just to verify.
And sonikgirl, that's a shame. I wish I lived in the area, I'd love to take a closer look, but it's just not worth the hitchhiking up there just to look around for possible drains. It's a big city.
I wish I had a car. :/
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reduxzero
location:
Edmonton, AB
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 10 on 9/16/2005 10:45 PM >
| | | | Halifax recently dug a kilometer-long sewage tunnel, as part of their massive regional sewer project. When I was there, I looked for manholes and found the TBM launch shaft. Unfortunately, nothing looked very accessible- and it sounded as though there was already water in the tunnel (strange, IMO).
Too bad about the downtown tunnels, Sonikgirl. At least you found proof positive. Any chance of returning with a sledgehammer?
reduxzero - DrainsofmyCity |
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darbycrashin
Noble Donor
location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Gender: Female
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 11 on 9/17/2005 2:28 AM >
| | | | Posted by reduxzero
Too bad about the downtown tunnels, Sonikgirl. At least you found proof positive. Any chance of returning with a sledgehammer?
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unfortunately, i dont think "king" syperak would be too jazzed about smashing his former dirty punk bar newly transformed yuppy bar. however maybe returning with a "yeah, yeah, documentary project".
Flickr http://flickr.com/photos/klandry |
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BeaverBanker
location:
Canunkastan
Gender: Male
A Hobo In A Orange Sweater
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 12 on 11/7/2005 11:57 PM >
| | | | There is a building at the location where then map is talking about. also the building is about 10 feet off the water too, if i remember right. don't ask me if theres a tunnel cause i never looked.
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mYrDoG
Gender: Male
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 13 on 11/13/2005 2:07 AM >
| | | | Hey,
I just discovered the forum and thought I would give my input. It is a building for The Water Commission. It is surrounded by barbed-wire fencing. If anybody goes, let me know about it.
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Charles.v
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 14 on 1/27/2006 4:23 AM >
| | | | I have an older map from 1992, which shows that there is a small brook
which goes from that water infall, there to the smaller lake (choclate lake) to the east. Then from that lake / pond to the harbour, from choclate lake to the
harbour there is a drop off of 50 to 75 in elevation.
If I remember correctly that drain is blocked by the large metal bars
to keep out trees.
The exit down by the harbour, is the rivier which low tide has the mouth
showing expect is 1 to 3 feet deep and high tide is typically blocked
off completely. Though there is no cover to it, personaly I am not
one to swim up a stream underground that is being used as a partial
sweage out let.
My guess is if you want to explore that river then I would expect
to get wet.
Posted by Disgrace
Oh, this isn't the sea-side part of Halifax. It's actually, well, here:
It's just on the western edge of the city, and not far from some neighborhood and some residential development(though I suspect the development has concluded since this photo was taken).
That said, I'll definitely keep that in mind, thanks. Last thing I need is to get arrested by the military police. Those guys aren't nice at all.
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Charles.v
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 15 on 1/27/2006 4:34 AM >
| | | | Posted by reduxzero
Halifax recently dug a kilometer-long sewage tunnel, as part of their massive regional sewer project. When I was there, I looked for manholes and found the TBM launch shaft. Unfortunately, nothing looked very accessible- and it sounded as though there was already water in the tunnel (strange, IMO).
Too bad about the downtown tunnels, Sonikgirl. At least you found proof positive. Any chance of returning with a sledgehammer?
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As fa as I know, Those lines went right along with the old wooden
and still in use water lines. Also there is storm drains, currently
halifax just dumps their sewage into the harbour. Even when the plants come online, it they will only handle part of the sweage.
If you go out to the harbour down by the Summit building, there is a white / light green sea water at some points which sorta smells bad. You can draw your conclusions from that.
Halifax is generally a very wet city underground,lots of springs that
limit the basement depth. If you are looking for tunnels the unverisity has a few linking up to different buildings for power reasons.
Though, not exactly abandoned. Generally when entering an area like those I have found it best to look like you know where you are going.
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BeaverBanker
location:
Canunkastan
Gender: Male
A Hobo In A Orange Sweater
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 16 on 6/12/2006 2:14 AM >
| | | | i know im stiring up a old thread, but its like herpes..ha
i was over that way today and snapped some shots, i was only there for 5 min, but might be a cool place to check out.
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N250cc
location:
Halifax, NS
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 17 on 7/6/2006 3:08 AM >
| | | | Hey, to bring up the old thread again, but I have updates on the site.
I was there yesterday and you can get into the lower level of the old pump station(someone smashed the bricks out of the window) You can see into the upper level and it dosent look like theres anything to special in there anyways.
Also just behind the station there is a entrance to a tunnel, the tunnel looks like it would be the main water way. It looks to leed under the highway and probable to one of the buildings across there in the field(non of which you can easily get into) The tunnel is probably about 3.5ft tall and 4-5ft wide. I plan to return with better gear and will have more pics when I do.
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BeaverBanker
location:
Canunkastan
Gender: Male
A Hobo In A Orange Sweater
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 18 on 7/6/2006 8:54 PM >
| | | | How far does that tunnel in the last picture travel
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BeaverBanker
location:
Canunkastan
Gender: Male
A Hobo In A Orange Sweater
| | Re: Halifax Storm Drains; Infall/Outfall
<Reply # 19 on 7/6/2006 8:55 PM >
| | | | double post
[last edit 7/6/2006 8:55 PM by BeaverBanker - edited 1 times]
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