The Annual Aquatic Challenge !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Rivière Jaune.... Yellow River.... somewhat akin to its Ohio twin , Doan Creek...... is rising quickly now after a number of very hot days. The Big Thaw is in full swing and I shall probably spend the night making the rounds of the five pumps you see installed at strategic places in the basement and likewise at the back entrance. So this will be an ongoing blog until the creek falls back into its normal bed . Last year the Big Night .... Overnight Vigil..... took place on the night of April 21st..... and the year before that .... 2006..... on April 13th. In fact , in 2006 I opened the pool , cut a hole in the ice and went in for a quick dip....... with picture as proof ! Back later..

1:20 in the morning and all is well ..... river still withinn its banks , although near the rim . No sign of water welling up in the sump holes downstairs. Just saw a couple of ice floes go speeding by with help from super light. This means that some ice is breaking loose from falls 400 yards upstream. . 

3 am and all is still well..... it'll be far worse when the 25 lakes back in the hinterland break up since all discharge into the Yellow River an use it to drain away  the superabundance of water and ice during the Big Melt. It looks like a long night..... Fluff 's getting her beauty rest while McDuff and I watch over the pumps and the night-prowlers... raccoons , skunks , stray cats , etc

5 am bells are sounding and srill no water in the basement,,,,,,,,,,,nor even a drop in the sump holes where the pumps are set up. So far , so good !! Daylight is not far off so I shall soon get a better idea of how the whole stiuation outside is shaping up.