Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Decorah, IA Eagle Camera is black online (with an egg)!

The egg was spotted first on February 23.


Live streaming video by Ustream



Sunday, February 23, 2014

South Branch and Cacapon reached "Action Level" this week

This is one of the most interesting times of year for phenologists.  Weather is even less predictable than in hurricane season, yet some predictable things like crocuses and daffodils and robins and tree buds are appearing on schedule.

This is the third time recently when the South Branch reached "Action Level", which is when low-lying areas become vulnerable.  Functionally, in a healthy river bed this is when all of the regular expansion areas are full and the river is at risk of expanding onto the flood plains. There is an interesting correlation/causation exploration here.  It's not so much a coincidence of similar precipitation events, but instead it's likely



Meanwhile the Cacapon exceeded it's Action Level and Minor Flooding level near the mouth at Great Cacapon.


Monday, February 17, 2014

It's almost that time...

Perhaps some of you are ready to start things in the greenhouse. (We still need a few weeks to get our act together.)

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Forest over a year.

Over 40,000 images from Samuel Orr's East-facing camera contribute to this documentation of the forest's change over a year.


Monday, February 3, 2014

1936 Flood Photo

I learned of this photo through Charlie Walbridge.   Chain Bridge connects the northernmost points of Arlington with the westernmost points of the District of Columbia.  It also happens to be the site (and at the time pictured below) of the highest water velocity recorded in nature.  




Chain Bridge spans the outflow of the Little Falls rapid, one of the few large rapids among those in the Mid-Atlantic affected by tides.

At high tide and summer levels, you can attain up the Virginia side of the rapid and run the Maryland or Virginia channels, and then repeat the process without getting out of your boat.  Of course, at the record level pictured here, you'd be lucky to make it upstream in a jet boat with a racing hull.  Even if you overcame the current, the partially submerged tree trunks speeding by would likely get you. 




Sunday, February 2, 2014

Diesel spill along Rt. 50 threatens Mill Creek and the South Branch

Thanks to Anna for alerting us to this for the Times-News.
January 31, 2014

Diesel spill forces Romney water plant shutdown

VANDERLIP, W.Va. — The city of Romney pump station ceased pumping water from the South Branch of the Potomac River around 3:15 p.m. due to an accident in Mechanicsburg Gap on U.S. Route 50.

Rick Davis, chief operator of the Romney water plant, said he received a phone call from the 911 center and was told about the accident.

The concern was that either diesel fuel or gasoline was leaking from a tractor-trailer that lost control and went sideways leaning into Mill Creek.

“We stopped pumping when they called. We were about finished for the day anyway,” Davis said.

The pumping station pumps water every day until late morning or early afternoon to fill the tanks.

 Romney Mayor Dan Hileman said, “It sounds like the system worked. 911 called the water plant and they were able to shut down. For today, we’re safe.”

West Virginia State Police closed U.S. 50 while the truck was being removed, according to the Romney Volunteer Fire Company.

Sources said the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection was on scene, as was the Romney Rescue Squad.

Hileman said before the city pumps Saturday, “We’ll test to make sure there is nothing in the water supply.

“It’s a bad scene. We’re lucky. This accident makes it very clear what can happen to a water supply. If this were some sort of chemical spill it could have far-reaching health issues.”

It was just this week that Hileman spoke with the Times-News regarding his concern about the city’s water supply.

Hileman said there should be long-term planning in case the city’s water source disappears or becomes contaminated.

Also this week, Sen. Joe Manchin said he was equally concerned and that he would do whatever he could to help keep a potable supply available for residents not only in Hampshire County but across the nation.

Mill Creek flows directly into the South Branch, which is the only water supply to Romney and much of Hampshire County.

Contact Marla Pisciotta at marlapisciotta@frontier.com.