Red Has Crested in GF

While there are definite signs of Spring with geese in the air, flocks of birds and even robins....

The really good news is that the Red River has crested and is on it's slow downward journey to its normal banks. Since the flood of 1997 we have a dike system that protects us to 60 feet, well above the 49.7 of this year (still third highest). Here you see how they fill in the roadways and walkways that go through the dike. Each layer is added with a gasket between the planks.

Then the back side is braced and strapped down.

In addition to the invisible wall dikes, some of the dikes are concrete and some are earthen.

I am not sure why it is that way, but as long as it keeps out the water, I don't care why.

The following pictures were taken through the windows on the 6th floor of the courthouse building looking toward Minnesota (Hence the blue tinge) . Here you can see the dike holding back the waters from Cabelas in EGF. (Click on pictures to enlarge)

This is the main bridge downtown (Sorlie) which is closed. Note the yellow marker that was built after 1997 to mark the high water level in that year just over 54 feet.

The dark area at the top of the river is the Louie Murray Bridge over the Red Lake River in Minnesota. It is also closed. The Red Lake River and Red River join there and that is where the Grand Forks comes in our name.

Just to the right of the Murray Bridge is the Point Bridge over the Red River, also closed.

This is a picture of the train bridge over the river. Note on the far end that it is blocked with its own dike (These take down dikes are called the Invisible Dike wall... but you can see them, can't you?) The name comes from the fact that they can be taken down and become invisible for 350 days of the year.

Here is the Sorlie Bridge again with the yellow marker in the foreground.

And one more of the Point Bridge with its approaches covered with water.

And since nothing unusual happened on April 1, I guess the Lord decided He needed to pull an April fool on us... yes, it is snowing. Makes you want to cover your head and cry....

Silent Spring

Just as the snow seems to be melting, the forecasters predict more snow or rain coming this weekend increasing flood nervousness up and down the Red River Valley. There are a few signs of Spring like the eagle on her nest north of town. That's what I call a nest. The back yard bird feeder is devoid of any birds; I mean none, nada...not even a Sparrow, Junco, Starling, Finch or Chickadee. It is too early for the migrants, but why no regular winter birds?

The answer is quite simple. Over the last few years we have been invaded by these... Cooper's Hawks who love to munch on little birds of any kind. I would like to dispense of it from the neighborhood, but M said she would visit me in jail.... maybe. So we endure a silent Spring.

And we wait... and wait... and wait...