Thanks for the update. I must have made an assumption on the Farad plant, and I am perhaps also incorrect on the flume. The Farad plant was gated and had some lights around it, but that in retrospect could have easily been more of a security measure than anything else.

I do recall seeing the collecting pond filled and flowing into the flume at that point, with a few good leaks. Driving towards Verdi, I saw a few more leaks and at one point some newer wood repairs. I suppose the possibility exists that it was being used by an enterprising soul(s) without authorization, or perhaps enough neglect on the headwater gate/pond allowed for water to bypass and continue into the flume.

Regardless, I did not know about the flume when I arrived in the area, and the sight of it was a nice surprise. These days, one typically can only read about such 19th century facilities, as opposed to actually seeing one up close! It certainly makes for a nice back-drop for rail pictures.