Mill Race
The Mill Race is the water current that runs through a mill to power it.
‘Race’ can refer to the waterway or stream entering or exiting the mill or mill pond and there is specific terminology to refer to each step in the water’s progress. Generally; the headrace flows into the mill, the wheelrace is the part that moves the wheel, and the tailrace is the water that exits the mill.
Millraces varied from less than a metre wide and a few metres long to over 10 m wide, several metres deep and a kilometre or more in length. They may travel long distances to come to the site of a mill and more substantial ones were lined with timber or stone.
Sometimes millraces would have bypass channels to be able to stop the water flow into to mill. This would reduce wear on the machinery if the mill was not in use or may be useful for repairs.
Further Reading:
What to look for:
- Substantial, possibly lined ditch or watercourse
- Associated mill or buildings
- Evidence of leats, dams or weirs
