Orneau in Mazy

Several places used the power drawn from the water flow to operate waterwheels*. We have an example of this at Ranil. Joseph Etienne, a quarry operator in Mazy, also took advantage of this force. In 1847, his waterwheels were counted in Onoz, Alvaux, and Maka. In Alvaux, two or three sawmills* and as many workers were recorded. At Maka, the installation was larger, with around twenty men in various trades (sawyers, polishers, marble workers, blacksmiths). Around 1890, a locomotive* was added. At this time, four sawmills*, a sawmill, a polisher*, and a lapidary were deployed. Around 1911, a dispute with the Countess of Romrée, the owner of the land, marked the end of these operations.Coming from the north, the Orneau crosses the geological vein of black marble at Falnuée.