The Hope Mills Dam - E! True Hollywood Story Multi-Cache

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Hidden : 10/20/2011
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

FTF is _______________.

The first dam was built in 1839 for the purpose of powering the four local cotton mills. In 1865 toward the end of the Civil War, William Sherman burned the four local mills but spared the dam from harm. After the Civil War, two of the four original mills were rebuilt and the surrounding area including the dam was named Hope Mills.
The dam was first owned by one of the mills and eventually ownership was handed over to the town in 1984. The two-lane road that goes over the dam was built in 1993 and was installed while some maintenance was being done on the dam. During 2001, the floodgates were opened to relieve some pressure from the heavy rains during Hurricane Fran. Some repairs have been made over the years but the dam did its job for a while.
On Memorial Day weekend 2003, the Hope Mills Dam failed due to heavy rainfall. One of the floodgates was unable to open and the pressure broke the dam causing 2.1 million dollars in damage. Part of this destruction was the washing out of the road going over the dam.
The newest version of the Hope Mills dam was completed in 2008 and the lake was filled in August of that year. The new damn was much bigger than what the town folk were used to but the lake was full and everyone was happy. (Personally I remember some lakeside property owners a little upset because the water level was about 2 feet lower than it had been and there docks were really high now) During this time the town seemed to return to normal with its firework shows, car shows, and movie showings near the lake.
In June 2010, tragedy struck as the lake was supposed to be drained only a little to do some inspections but instead the dam failed completely and drained it self. A sink hole had formed under the dam and the water had helped itself out over night. Town folk woke to a surprise when they found that the lake was drained. Some people believed that it was an attempt to catch an alligator but low and behold the dam had broke.
It is currently under investigation as to when the dam will be whole once again. It is almost a farce as to when it will be back up and running again.
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This cache is a four stage multiple that showcases different parts of the old and new Hope Mills dam. Please enjoy, be careful and use stealth as much as possible.

Stage One
This stage brings you to a nice vantage point at checking out the Hope Mills dam. If you look to the lake side of the dam, you will see the fish ladder that lets fish swim upstream for mating purposes. it you look to approximately the two o'clock position from the first stage, you will see a large hole cut in the dam wall to relieve the pressure and allow Rockfish creek to continue flowing into the Cape Fear River. This area is lighted at night so feel free to hunt but please use stealth. Be careful not to loose the stage and take some pictures.

Stage Two
I have no idea what this object is for. Imagine that this is some kind of flow controller or was used as a flood controller at one time. Their is no need to go over the fence or climb on the structure. The stage is completely reachable from this side of the fence.

Stage Three
This is one of the original floodgates for the dam. I believe that these are a type of drum gates that have a crane type mechanism that moved them up and down. The cache is reachable without having to go into the structure. Please be careful.

Final Stage
This is a short hike into the woods from the third stage. Please be careful and continue to use stealth. Please re-camo the hide once you have found it better than you found it.

Enjoy!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ernq gur Nzzb Pna!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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