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Washington City Landmark Began as Scout Effort
By Ellie Lambert
One thing most of Dusty Ott’s fellow residents don’t know about him is that his Eagle Scout project became one of the major landmarks in Washington County.
Ten years ago, Washington City officials asked Ott's father, Dave Ott, if he would be interested in building the waterwheel for the city. Dave Ott. had a solid reputation for his wood-crafting skills, and thus the city’s request.
The idea for the waterwheel, said Dusty Ott, was that there had been a waterwheel at the old pioneer cotton mill, and the city wanted to bring it back to the downtown area.
Dusty, who was 13 at the time, asked his father if he could work on the wheel for his Eagle Scout project. Dad Dave Ott. agreed, and then Dusty approached the Eagle Scout Council for approval.
"I had to fill out a lot of paperwork to get this project started," said Dusty Ott, "I was really glad for the opportunity to work on the waterwheel, especially with my dad's help. I knew that it would be a good project to work on, because it would become the landmark for Washington."
The project was started on May 6, 1997, and completed on June 30, 1997. On September 9, 1997, Ott received his Eagle Scout award.
"I personally spent about 56 hours on the project," said Ott, "and my dad spent about 48 hours of that time working with me. We had other people helping us, too, and all told, about 88 hours was spent working on putting the waterwheel together."
Part of the project, said Ott, was learning how to delegate the work.
"I'd have some of the other Scouts come over and help, and I would have to instruct them as to what they should be working on. It was fun, being the boss of my own project."
The whole Ott family got involved, including his mother, Connie, and his sister, Summer.
"We all had spent time with Dad out in his workshop, so we had a good idea of what needed to be done and how to do it," said Ott, "and having him there to oversee everything made it that much easier."
Dave Ott was also the Scoutmaster, so the project was a way for the troop to work together and get credit for the hours they worked.
"Technically," said Dusty Ott, "I didn't have to do anything. I just had to draw it up, lay it out, and make everyone else do the work. Since it was my project, though, I really wanted to work on it."
The metalwork that Ott's mother designed was sent out to be cut, each of the pieces being cut into the Boy Scout fleur-de-lis symbol. Ott then had to weld the crosses and joints of the centerpiece.
"Looking back over all the work that was involved," Ott said, "it’s amazing that we were able to get it done so quickly."
On one Saturday alone, Ott, along with his father and sister, measured, glued, and screwed all the boards. He and his dad then constructed the second cross-sections. They used 425 biscuits, 272 screws, and four quarts of wood glue.
"That was our project, just for that day," said Ott.
Three days later, Ott countersank 600 holes. Ten days after that, he worked on the inner steel section of the wheel, putting 100 4.5-inch bolts into the steel, and then put wood plugs into all the countersunk holes. The shaft was then installed.
When the time came for the flip side of the wheel to be worked on, his dad's friends from Questar came to help flip it over.
"That took about 12 people," Ott said, "I think I helped, but it was minimal compared to the other guys who lifted it."
Once the project was completed, a crane had to be called in to lift and haul it to the current site.
Some of the other contributors in time and effort were Chase Christy, Drew Andrus, Rick Nielsen, and Nile Littlefield.
"It really was a lot of fun to do," Ott said, "and I am still proud of the workmanship that went into it. The best recognition I get from it is that the city included the wheel on the patches of the policemen and firemen."
Ott recently completed his associate degree at Dixie State College and is working at the St. George Recreation Center. He will be heading to Logan to attend Utah State University to obtain a degree in industrial hygiene.

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