The first mining in Røros’ northern mine district (Nordgruvefelt)
dates back to 1657 at
Arvedalsgruva. This was located around where the old flotation
works stands by the
parking place near Kongens mine. In 1736 another ore deposit was
found and Kronprinds
Frederiks Mine was opened, 10 years later to be called “Kongens”
Mine.
Groundwater caused major problems for mining in the early days and
different methods were
needed to pump it out. In 1769 a water wheel was built near the
mine to provide movement
for a pumping system. Models of the pumping system can be seen at
the Smelting
Museum in Røros. A drawing of such a mechanism built by another
Norwegian mine
can be seen at:
Nikkelrud stangfelt
To provide water for the wheel, a 3,5 kilometer long aqueduct was
constructed from Storfjellsjø
lake and to the water wheel. The lake was dammed up with 2 extra
meters to provide enough
water. The aqueduct constructed over 3,5 kilometers only had 3,5
meter fall height!
At the end of the aqueduct a water wheel about 10 meters in
diameter built. Half of the wheel
was sunk into a hole dug into the ground and can be seen at this
geocache site. The wheel
provided motion for a mechanism (dobbelt stangfelt) built 560 m
long up towards the mine.
Part of the aqueduct that was placed in a tunnel can also be
visited at
Fjellsjø aqueduct tunnel.
To get to this cacche you need to drive to “Nordgruvefeltet” along
a toll road.
Signs for this found from Rv 30 just north of Orvos.
Parking is at N62 40.253 E011 19.307
From the parking you can walk or bicycle approximately 1 km along a
private road
(please don’t drive on this road).
At N62 40.458 E011 18.734 the area is visible from the private
road
The total distance of the trip is approximately 2 km round
trip.
For those curious, down below the buildings at the parking area a
new mine water cleaning
system is presently being built. This treatment is based on natural
"wetland" processes.
The cache IS NOT hidden within the hole where the water
wheel was!
The cache contains:
Log book & pencil
Playing cards, mini calculator
carabiner, bracelet & scream whistle/key chain