IN WHICH BEAR AND J STAY HIGH AND DRY

There is a saying about what a difference one day makes.

Saturday in Saskatoon . . .

Observation deck was high and dry

River is high and fast

But yesterday was different . . .

Observation deck is almost awash

The river is so fast, it is changing the flow around
the bridge piers. The water at the sides is
lower than at the front

This is (supposedly) the high-water mark for the controlled drainage of Lake Diefenbaker (the reservoir behind the Gardiner Dam). It is being emptied some, slowly, in order that the flood water which hit High River and Calgary can eventually be collected in the lake, and released slowly to the South Saskatchewan River below the dam. This was one of the reasons the dam was built in the first pace; to control high flows along the river. 

One thing about this, though. In the quiet of the night, I can hear the river running, surging up against the bridge piers. (That's not normal.) It's a kind of restless but very dynamic sound — almost spell-binding. There is power there!

While I was down in the flood plain, I looked up at our apartment. It looked like it was almost in the clouds — it was that far above the ground and water.

I have some other things which I'll share with you over the next couple of days.

Meantime, blessings and Bear hugs, folks!

Footnote

By the clear light of day, I could see the river had overflowed on to the observation. So we've got a bona fide flood, even if it is inconsequential. That means other spots may be flooded, too. I'll check later today. Though I think it's much ado about not very much.