An Extra Rainy Weekend

As you may have heard, we experienced heavy rain yet again on March 13th. The weather report began ominously forecasting 4-5 inches of rain to fall from Friday to Sunday early in the week. My coworkers at the office reported a stampede on milk and bread at the grocery store akin to those that take place before major snow storms in our area.

The rain did arrive as expected on Friday and fell heavily throughout Saturday. This was not the misty, persistent drizzle we had experienced in the past. This was big drops that splattered on impact. Heavy winds rocked the landscape, throwing the water sideways and soaking all who ventured out in it. Trees fell, shutters pulled loose from a few houses in our neighborhood and loose objects were discovered several feet from their original location after a wild Saturday night.

Sunday morning dawned gray and foreboding and thunder rumbled as more heavy rain fell. Flooding was everywhere, and residents reported that they had not seen the like for 15 years. After the final storm Sunday morning, the rain subsided enough for me to drive out to view the situation.

On my way to the park, I grabbed this quick shot of a bridge on Amwell Road that was (almost) flooded out. My tires splash through the puddle that probably spanned the road at one point during the night. Several houses and a small block of stores were under several feet of water at that point.


At Colonial Park in Franklin Township, New Jersey, the water had run up on either side of the canal. A brave few survey the incredible amount of brown water that covered every low area. I was surprised that the towpath itself, a part of the Delaware-Raritan Canal State Park, was in the clear as far as I could see.




Near the lagoon where waterfowl likes to hang out, the water covered the road (Mettlers Road) and surged right up to the concrete path that winds through the park. Unfazed by the water, another dog walker surveys the extended lake, above.




I walked slowly through the mud on the usual trails through the wooded areas I enjoy. I was surprised these trails were clear of flooding as well. While the water was within a foot or so of its usual banks, there still seemed to be more water than usual.

Male and Female Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Every waterfowl I saw seemed especially happy.

Every stream I passed was flooded, but I was able to pass easily due to the boardwalks strategically placed along the trail.


Everywhere I walked, the reflection of the trees against the water was beautiful.


Even more trees capsized during this round of storms, some of them very big and very old. I wonder what effect these breaks in the canopy will have this spring – more sunlight reaching the forest floor can mean more undergrowth, such as wildflowers. Despite the heavy flooding, our house was spared any water damage. Whle I recall a lake forming behind my house during previous heavy rains, this area was mysteriously empty this time. I am hypothesizing pumping capablities I am unaware of to explain this phenomena. My heart goes out to all the folks who experienced damages or lost their homes in the latest flooding.

With the sun shining this morning, I am eager to head outdoors. Today I will tour Sourland Mountain – I hope the trails and my favorite resting spots are still there!