Journal entry by Al Negstad — 43 minutes ago
There was a large cattail slough a short distance north west of the farm where I grew up. Our farm fronted U.S. Highway #81, Winnipeg to Mexico, and the slough lay along the west side of the road. Beginning in 1984 wet years commenced in eastern South Dakota. My memory of growing up was always waiting for rain, as crops suffered. In 1940 the average rainfall at our farm was approximately 19 inches a year but now it's about 30. This year, who knows, perhaps 30 already!
With the slough in our possession, and the increased annual moisture, it transmogrified into Lake Joanne. Twice Highway 81, was raised 5 feet because of rising water with the lake at least 12 feet deep and a popular fishing destination. A few years ago Lake Joanne rose until it flooded the highway. The S. D. Department of Transportation put in ditch to drain it to Lake Sinai, and, on to the Big Sioux River. Property owners along the river objected and the ditch was filled after the lake level was lowered. Now Lake Joanne is once again over the road. The water level may be high enough that the lake is flowing out naturally. This drama on Highway 81, is just one marker of how extremely wet it is.
Having just returned from a weekend in The Little House On The Prairie the old timers I consulted, all of whom are about my age 😉, say they've never seen anything like the rain this year. Some farmers have some or all their corn planted but I don't think any soybeans are in the ground. Some corn that has emerged is now in standing water with the latest rain...it was raining when I left S.D. today. Sitting in church yesterday I though perhaps the pastor should organize an ark building party, but how long is a cubit and where in S.D., is there gopher wood? Then there would be arguments about admittance and you know what happened to the unicorns. With no end of this rainy weather in sight I have little idea how this will end. It once rained for 40 days and 40 nights but that was a long time ago.
Yes, Joanne liked her namesake. 😀
Takk for alt,
Al
These two brothers seen at the Volga, S.D., Historical Museum, were the earlier school pictures.
With the slough in our possession, and the increased annual moisture, it transmogrified into Lake Joanne. Twice Highway 81, was raised 5 feet because of rising water with the lake at least 12 feet deep and a popular fishing destination. A few years ago Lake Joanne rose until it flooded the highway. The S. D. Department of Transportation put in ditch to drain it to Lake Sinai, and, on to the Big Sioux River. Property owners along the river objected and the ditch was filled after the lake level was lowered. Now Lake Joanne is once again over the road. The water level may be high enough that the lake is flowing out naturally. This drama on Highway 81, is just one marker of how extremely wet it is.
Having just returned from a weekend in The Little House On The Prairie the old timers I consulted, all of whom are about my age 😉, say they've never seen anything like the rain this year. Some farmers have some or all their corn planted but I don't think any soybeans are in the ground. Some corn that has emerged is now in standing water with the latest rain...it was raining when I left S.D. today. Sitting in church yesterday I though perhaps the pastor should organize an ark building party, but how long is a cubit and where in S.D., is there gopher wood? Then there would be arguments about admittance and you know what happened to the unicorns. With no end of this rainy weather in sight I have little idea how this will end. It once rained for 40 days and 40 nights but that was a long time ago.
Yes, Joanne liked her namesake. 😀
Takk for alt,
Al
These two brothers seen at the Volga, S.D., Historical Museum, were the earlier school pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment