Flooding

Tye is High

…and I’m moving on. Sorry- couldn’t resist the pun.

This past weekend’s weather brought a series of strong pineapple express weather systems. For those of you not from the Pacific Northwest, a pineapple express storm is one that originates from the area around Hawaii (hence the pineapple reference) and brings a lot of moisture and high snow levels. These storms sometimes quickly follow snow storms which bring rain on snow events and that spells major flooding.

This weekend’s storm brought moderate flooding to the Skykomish River basin and I decided to head up the valley along Highway 2 to check things out. Despite the “moderate” tag, the river levels were REAL high, seemingly higher than the record events of just a couple years ago. I first tried visiting Alpine Falls along the Tye River east of the town of Skykomish but the down spray from the falls was just too great for photography.

From there, I moved on to the Deception Falls Picnic Area to check things out. Located at an elevation of about 2000 feet, it’s closed in the winter due to snow but one can usually park outside the entrance along Highway 2 and (CAREFULLY) cross the busy highway and walk in. I’ve visited on two other occasions, one of which was during a flood event back in November of 2008. By far, conditions on this day were the highest water levels I’ve seen. Quite impressive!

Deception Creek side channel overflow at the Deception Falls Picnic Area - January 2011

High waters of this Deception Creek side channel lap against the bottom of a trail bridge - January 2011

Tye River high water surges along - January 2011

There are two observation platforms along the loop interpretive trail that highlight the river’s power during times like these. The first platform is located in an area where the river runs headlong into a rock wall, forcing it into a 90 degree turn. Compare yesterday’s flow versus a normal flow from two years ago:

High flows along the Tye River smash into the 90 degree turn - January 2011 (1/250th sec @ F13, ISO 12,800)

Normal winter flow along the Tye River at the 90 degree turn - December 2008

Quite a difference! Just a little further upstream is another platform where the Tye River flows over a waterfall and bends around a corner. Now compare yesterday’s flow versus high flow back in November of 2008:

High flows along the Tye River at the Deception Falls Picnic Area - January 2011

High flows along the Tye River at the Deception Falls Picnic Area - January 2011

High flows along the Tye River at the Deception Falls Picnic Area - January 2008

Once again, quite a difference. I made my way towards the Deception Falls along Deception Creek but the amount and force of the water was too great. The down spray was intense and the churning waters were actually splashing over the pedestrian bridge that leads you to the viewing area. My Pentax may have 77 weather seals but it can’t keep a camera safe from THAT much abuse! It was getting late in the afternoon and I wanted to make two more stops on my way back into town. I first stopped at a roadside wetland west of Skykomish. Ended up not getting very much (aside from even MORE soaked from the rain). I guess it looked cooler at 60mph!

Roadside wetland along Highway 2 west of Skykomish

Roadside wetland along Highway 2 west of Skykomish

My last stop SHOULD have been my first stop. Just west of the town of Index, there’s a spot along the Skykomish River where Kayakers park and launch into the river. In the middle of the river at this location is a huge (and I mean 2 story HUGE) boulder. On my way up earlier in the day, the river’s torrent was splashing up and OVER the top of this large boulder. I had to get a photo of this but decided to wait until my return trip.

BIG mistake.

Over the preceding four hours or so, the river level subsided enough such that the river was no longer splashing over the top. In the failing light, I was only able to snap a couple quick shots, and most weren’t up to snuff due to bad focus and some vegetation between me and the river which I could not avoid:

Skykomish River envelopes the huge boulder a few miles downstream of Index

Moral of the story is STOP AND TAKE THE PHOTO!

San Diego flooding

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I spent a brief amount of time down in San Diego in the days leading up to Christmas. The timing of my visit coincided with the end of a very strong “pineapple express” storm system. The Palomar Mountains in northern San Diego County received over 18” of rain during the past 7 days and many areas around San Diego received 4 – 6″ of rain over the last 7 days. Not surprisingly, flash flooding as well as urban flooding ensued. I found myself down at the Fashion Valley mall which is situated parallel to the San Diego River.

Heavy rainfall rolling through San Diego, CA
Most of the year, the river is more like a modest creek but it comes an angry torrent when heavy rains visit the region. The surface streets that cross the river always flood. In fact, the roads have been redesigned much like some high mountain roads where the road surface is solid concrete so that the flood waters just flow over the road without damaging it. I’ve seen the flooding many times since I grew up in San Diego but I’ve never seen it as severe as this time.

Pond of water covering the westbound lanes of Friars Road - San Diego, CA
For those who know San Diego, this photo shows a big headache for people. This pool of water is blocking the westbound lanes of Friars Road just west of the 163 freeway and just prior to one of the entrances to the Fashion Valley mall. Interestingly enough, it was relatively easy to access the area of active flooding. The parking garages adjacent to the San Diego River were open except for the bottom level which was completely flooded.

Fashion Valley Transit Center in full flood. San Diego, CA
Very appropriate signage. Fashion Valley flooding in San Diego, CA
San Diego River stopping for nothing
The river crested at 14 feet (about 3 feet over flood stage) just an hour or two before my visit. The water was moving pretty fast & furious. Actually, these photos are from my RETURN visit. I first showed up with only the camera in my iPhone. It was too good to pass up so I raced back to my parents house to get my point & shoot. Upon my return, I could see that the waters had slightly receded but were still running pretty good. Even better, the sun came out treating me to a double rainbow and some beautiful sunset light. No matter how much we try, mother nature always wins!…

Double rainbow over Fashion Valley. San Diego, CA
Ironic advertisement at times like this. San Diego River flooding
San Diego River flooding over Avenida Del Rio
San Diego River flooding along the east end of Fashion Valley. San Diego, CA
Sunset at Fashion Valley. San Diego, CA
Homeless camp belongings washed downstream by the San Diego River Flooding
Homeless camp belongings washed downstream by the San Diego River Flooding

Waterworld..

As widely reported, vast portions of Western Washington experienced record and near record level flooding during the past week. This marks the third major flood event in as many years. All rivers have crested and begun to recede back into their banks which now afford the opportunity to check out the flooding.

Here are some photos up and down the Snohomish & Snoqualmie River valleys. First up, a solitary tree surrounded by the temporary lake:
Flooded Tree
Further up Old Snohomish-Monroe Road is the road closure just south of French Creek:
Road Closure at French Creek
Flood Panorama - Old Snohomish-Monroe Road near French Creek
Further south and directly alongside the Snohomish River, a log deposited by the high flows lies on Shorts School Road..
Flood debris on Shorts School Road
Once you know what to look for, it’s easy to get an idea of how high the flood waters were. Indications such as mud on trees and debris that gets deposited unnaturally are clear signs:
Grass, hung like tinsel, deposited by flood waters
Flood level on cedar
Further up valley and just north of the town of Duvall, waters from the Snoqualmie River have filled the side fields up creating vast seas. Currently there’s 4 feet of water in this field:
Flooded field outside of Duvall
The mile-wide valley could not be crossed in Duvall due to flood damage to the road so I doubled around the north side to go look at High Bridge Road. This photo shows Crescent Lake Road as it descends into the flood waters. The line of debris across the road in the middle of the photo indicates the level of flood waters:
Flood waters over Crescent Lake Road
Another indication of flood levels
Finally, a view across the Snoqualmie River valley from high atop High Bridge Road:
A Flooded Snoqualmie River Valley

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