A natural or artificial flume or rapid water-way.
1806. Notwithstanding the low state of the water, and imminent peril of the passage, I determined on taking the chute without farther delay.—Thomas Ashe, ‘Travels in America,’ ii. 271 (Lond., 1808).
1807. Col. Lord, owner of the ship John Atkinson, bore down for the head grand shoot, and passed handsomely by.—The Balance, June 9, p. 183.
1819. The Indian Chute, which is not passable in low water, the Kentucky Chute, which is only passable in high water, and the Middle Chute which at any time is the best.—H. C. McMurtrie, ‘Sketches of Louisville,’ p. 14: quoted in James Hall’s ‘Letters from the West,’ p. 185. (Italics in the original.)
1823. The water is dashed and broken upon the rocks and uneven bed of the channel, called the Indian chute, through which a great part of the water passes.—E. James, ‘Rocky Mountain Expedition,’ i. 26 (Phila.). (Italics in the original.)
1838. [This is] called the Indian chute, to distinguish it from two others, called the Middle chute and the Kentucky chute.—E. Flagg, ‘The Far West,’ i. 18 (N.Y.).
1839. In the afternoon we passed John Day’s river, and encamped about sunset at the “shoots.”—J. K. Townsend, ‘Narrative,’ p. 251 (Phila.).
