Well, we finally did it

[Natch]

This has been an abnormally wet year in Arkansas and three of the months were the wettest on record. The meteorologists were all saying by early November that this would be the year. However, November and the first half of December were abnormally dry, so it looked like we would be second or third in the record books.

But with the almost six inches the past 12 hours, 2009 will be the wettest year since they're been keeping records in the 1800s. If we get the rain predicted in the next few days, we will be almost double our 42" average.

Just got a call from my crazy students (die hard kayakers) and they're all excited as Long Devils up in the Richland Creek Wilderness (heart of the Ozarks) is rising fast and they're heading up tonight to catch it at first light. There is an eight mile stretch that can only be paddled once every couple years and then for only 12 hours or so. It averages 267' drop per mile. I'm planning to pack into Twin Falls (the biggest free drop on that stretch, about 25') to take pix and pick up the body parts that come off!

I've also noticed the deer, squirrels, and rabbits in my yard are sitting at the edge of the woods in pairs as if they're waiting for something? And webbing is starting to grow between my toes. Weird.

Natch

 

[Slow Puffs]

 

[kilted1]

Sounds insane :twisted: :cheers: :bounce:

 

[Centurian 803]

:shock: :shock: :affraid:

 

[Justpipes]

Be careful Mr. Natch!!!

 

[Carlos]

We are having similar problems. Farmers still have some corn and soybeans in the fields that they cannot get to.I think we are around 20" over average for the year and it's not done yet. I went down in the cellar last night and the floor was dry. An hour later I heard the water start running from the floor drain into the sump. And then the cracks started showing moisture. I expect it's running across the floor down there now.

 

[Natch]

That's probably our biggest problem here as well, Carlos, it's really hurting the farmers. Now the duck hunters, that's another thing. I built our house about 100 years from a creek, but it's got a small drainage basin above us and designed the house the "shed water" as well as one can in the land of impervious clay soils (most of the South below the terminal moraines of the last ice advance). Double french drains, three foot roof overhang all the way around, and on the side of a hill, so we should be safe from the rising creek. But we have been unable to get to the main road from time to time and flash flood warnings are all over the state.

Guess I won't be going to see my students kayaking, as in my excitement to get up there it completely escaped my mind that today is Christmas Eve and for some odd reason SWMBO wasn't keen on me being gone until late tonight? Go figure. :roll:

Natch

 

[Slow Puffs]

We could use the moisture here. In our county the drought was so bad, it was declared a disaster area. Just yesterday, on the news they were saying there is not enough hay to feed the cattle.

So much for our Alberta AAA beef industry...