Monday 24 June 2013

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.


22 comments:

  1. The higher and dryer the better, I say.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But not too dry. As in, "Where's my bottle of Scotch?" NO; make that cup of tea.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  2. If there is a flood-plane nearby, it's a good thing to live high up in the clouds. The flow of water can change pretty fast, huh?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fast change? Absolutely. The observation deck is now inundated. Score: River 1, Observation deck 0. The whole other side of the river (including the downtown) will have to flood before we get any significant amount of water on our side, other than the park (which is in the flood plain).

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  3. Living in Las Vegas during July-September we get flash floods each year where we have a very strong and fast downpour of rain which floods the streets but it dries out within a few hours because of the flood channels and washes that have been built here. Floods are not fun so I hope they go away for good where they are there.

    Dark Thoughts Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mary. We're starting to see some flooding of low-lying trails along the river bank. (The City as put up barricades, but people ignore those.) Not anything about which people should worry, now. But, for the record, we're getting some flooding.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  4. Gosh what is going on with the weather these days bear? sandie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know, sandie. I think we've been messing with the atmosphere too long, and it is biting us back. Hope you have a great day!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  5. I remember one time when I was a kid, the water level in the bay increased and flooded the entire downtown area. People were using boats to get where they had to go. Scary!

    Wishing you a great week. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember, about 25 years ago, a flash rainstorm flooded large parts of the city. The storm sewers just could not handle all the water. Our place (then) got a tiny bit of water in it, that we were able to clean up ourselves. People were getting around by boat, here, too. Funny that; people are inventive when challenges appear.

      I hope you have a wonderful week, too!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!
      Bears Noting
      Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

      Delete
  6. My neighborhood was built on a swamp. Drainage is terrible. Someone told me that the drainage is actually better now and that the people one street over from me used to go out in canoes. I was amazed to learn that the water had been even worse.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we know stories about swamp land being used for housing neighbourhoods. If there's a dollar in it, someone will try it.

      As long as you don't see any alligators come by your house, you're probably OK

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  7. I'm glad to hear it's under control, mostly. The worst seems to be behind you, anyway. Right? :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, the worst is behind other people; we're waiting to see what happens.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  8. Wowsa! I'm glad you're still dry, Bear. Ain't nothin' like a wet bear that don't wanna be wet!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right now, I think my body is almost as dry as my humour. Thanks.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  9. Overall that whole situation is scary for all involved Im sure...but, I think Im a little slow ( slower than that river anyway) I dont understand why the photo about the water being higher at the front of the bridge post is significant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a bit scary. Also, people who have been out of their homes are getting irritated; they want to get back and survey the damage. Most Calgary folks are heading home; the High River people are being kept out, and are not amused.

      The way the water is running around the bridge pier is a sign of just how fast the river is moving — much faster than usual.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  10. Stay safe, stay dry ... wishing the same for everyone in your 'neck of the woods.'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Folks in River City are fine; flooding is insignificant. In Alberta, as I mentioned to Zoe, things are getting tense in spots. Bear is very relaxed about all of this.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  11. Wow I had no idea you were in Canada I am in Canada too. This is so scary I have been reading your posts about the flooding I know things are better now in your area but there are so many still dealing with the aftermath. Take care B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Buttons; genuine Canadian-bred and born Bear. Sadly, we Brown Bears (as in Grizzly Bears) are being pushed more and more to the margins of civilization. We used to be creatures of the prairies; now, we're in the mountains and, increasingly (because of climate change) moving north.

      I have friends in Alberta who are dealing with the flooding which did not reach us (because of our well-managed watershed systems).

      Blessings and Bear hugs to another Canadian! Belated "Happy Canada Day!"

      Delete

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