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 