Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Ipswich River Flood 2010 Photos

As promised in last night's post, I took a walk around town today and can now bring you some photos of the flooding. According to the USGS gauge at 6 PM this evening the river was at 9.85 feet and running at 3,840 cubic feet per second. That's a lot of water. "Normal" stream flow for March is 300 cfs. Click any photo to enlarge.


For comparison purposes, the photo to the left is of the herring ladder right at the EBSCO dam. It was taken last March 18th at "normal" flow. The photo to the right was taken today. I just hope the water recedes before herring counts start on April 1st! Notice the approximate six feet of clearance from the water surface to the bottom of the foot bridge at the top of the photo on the left, and the lack of clearance on the right.




Looking towards EBCSO Publishing right at the dam. The dam starts at the end of the causeway on the left.


Standing on the footbridge looking right at the dam, there should be a significant drop where now there's just a wave.

Standing on the Choate Bridge


Standing on the west bank looking downstream at the footbridge.



The parking lot behind Zumi's. The river's normal channel runs at least 20 feet behind that shed.



Playing in the flooded parking lot

Another one of EBSCO's buildings just before the dam, the water isn't usually right up to the bricks.


I shot some great videos which I'll download later tonight and get up for you. You can't really feel the power of the river until you see if in motion and hear the sound. Luckily our basement is still dry even though we're only 100 feet from the river. The last time our house got soggy the water level went over 10 feet, hopefully we'll just squeak by with this flood....

6 comments:

  1. Looks serious...and somewhat unnerving. It appears as if the water may flow over the bridge.

    In a way I can relate because in November, 2000, there was over 5 feet of water flowing over one of our low-water crossings. I was amazed at the noise as well as the rush or speed of the flow. We turned around and went home. :D After a few hours, the water was down and we could cross.

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  2. I have witnessed the power of water in several Midwestern floods. The force of even a foot of rushing water is overwhelming. It is awesome, yet scary. I certainly hope you are able to escape having any of it reach you.

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  3. Holy Moley! This is some serious water. I've been watching the news and holding my breath that everyone will be all right. These are some great pictures. Take it slow and easy, Kate.... I don't want to hear you were trying for a great shot and got swept away!

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  4. Lynn: believe it or not the water was higher during a flood in 2006, but it's still pretty powerful. you were very very smart to not drive through a flood, never underestimate the power of a flood in Texas, I got caught in a thunderstorm near you, just outside of Austin, a few years back and I couldn't believe the amount of water that came down in such a short time!

    Rae: we just squeaked by, the river has to go about a half a foot higher to flood us out, we were very lucky...this time :)

    DJan: it is some serious water, so far I haven't heard of any deaths, there was one during the big floods of 2006. Just a lot of damage and clean up....my mother said the same thing about staying away from the water, she thinks I'm nuts to get photos, but I as in a safe spot, no worries :)

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  5. The water was higher during a flood in 2006, but it's still pretty powerful. you were very very smart to not drive through a flood, never underestimate the power of a flood in Texas, I got caught in a thunderstorm just outside of Austin, a few years back and I couldn't believe the amount of water that came down in such a short time

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  6. Scary pictures, flooding truly are just uncontrollable, once started there is nothing one can do to stop it.

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