We have been pummeled by spring rain the past few weeks and the river running through our little city is definitely reflecting the fact. The Lot remains mildly soggy this morning (still preventing planting of our cool weather crops; grr!), and the temperature has dipped to about 40 degrees. The almost-blooming daffodils look like they’re melting from the cold temperature. If the rain holds off, I think I’ll poke around to see where water is draining and where it is collecting on the Lot. I also want to take a look at the water run-off to the storm drain on the south side. Then I can look up some plants who do not mind wet feet and can keep contents of the Lot from running into the storm drain system, which empties into the river.

Our neighborhood is a block or so away from some natural wetlands that are looking a bit more full this spring. Some of the larger city parks near the river are underwater. The city is taking measures with sandbags to protect some of the key areas where the river threatens to spill over it’s flood walls. One such area is the water treatment plant. A few buildings downtown are experiencing leaking in the basements, and homes northeast of downtown have basements filled with water. The river is predicted to peak at around 21ft on Sunday.

Here are some photos from around town. The first three are from GRnow.com and the fourth photo was provided to the local news courtesy Judy Schutte.