When I went out Friday morning, I noticed that the water level in the little river was very high. The water was flowing just below the top limit of the two big culverts that direct the river under the road. Back in August, the river had been reduced to a trickle but all that changed in September.
In September, the rains came. It rained and it rained, and then it rained some more. We came within 3 mm of setting a new record for September rainfall.
The previous record of 177 mm was set in 1945, more than half a century ago. On September 30th of this year, we reached 174 mm. After all those rainy days, it was rather sad not to break the old record. As I drove over to Ponygirl’s place on October 1st, I could see water everywhere, in swollen creeks, roadside ditches, and flooded fields.
By the time I returned to Willow House in the afternoon, the water level had exceeded the tops of the two culverts. Whirlpools had formed at the edge of each culvert as flowing water was sucked into the pipe.
I stopped the car and climbed out. Standing watching the swirling water was mesmerizing. The water surface was eerily still and quiet. No waves or wind-whipped water. Just the gentle gurgle of the whirlpool, which undoubtedly represented a powerful surge quite different from the calm appearance presented by the water surface.
Over the weekend, the water level gradually receded and the river returned to more modest proportions.
When I walked down to see how the river looked this morning, I noticed that there was an orange mark spray painted on a rock. Presumably, it was a town employee who recorded the high water mark reached by the swollen river. The mark seemed like a dare, September saying to the incoming month: “Check that out, October! Beat that!”
But today is bright and sunny, if a bit on the cool side. No rain in sight. Hopefully, October has other plans.
Willow House Chronicles 
It still amazes me just how much the river fluctuates. When you see it in the summer, trickling along the bottom of the giant culvert which is practically large enough to walk through standing up, it’s really, really hard to imagine the several feet of water necessary to reach to top of it. “That high? Pfft, yeah right. You’re pulling my leg.”
That rain was really something. We didn’t get hit too badly here, only about an inch and a half, but east of us they got murdered. Hasn’t the weather this year been strange?
I take it that the flooding didn’t flood out anyone. So I assume all was well and good with the folks of your area. . Nature has a hand on everything and what beauty it is to witness its power and strength. Frankly I love storms — the drama they present is awesome. Beautiful photos — barbara
Seab, it is fascinating. Still amazes me too.
Louise, I’m glad you weren’t too badly hit. Mostly it was just depressing here, day after day of rain. It sure was an odd sort of year, so hot in the summer, now so much rain.
Barbara, thanks so much for your concern. We were all fine. I don’t know of anyone in the area being flooded out. I love a good storm too, with an stirring electrical show! But this was mostly long, dull, rainy wet days.