Spring Runoff Ran Off With My Flip Flops!

It's been an incredibly hot June compared to the cold and snowy May we had this year. As a result, all the snow in the mountains decided to melt all in one day--or so it would seem. And this year's runoff was quite an adventure.

Last night at about 8:00 my brother left because he had been asked to help put sandbags by the river at Wheeler Farm. Had I known how serious of a problem it was, I would have joined him. It wasn't until later when my roommates told me I was needed that I went to help keep the river in check.



We went to 53rd South, right by Murray Park. In the shallowest part of the street, the water covered my ankles. I was made keenly aware that I was in flip flops when I stepped into the water and froze my feet. But it turned out to be a blessing, as I was able to detect major breaches in the sand wall that was being built next to the sidewalk. When it seemed like the river was under control there, we ventured into Murray Park to see the impact. The river was running across the entire parking lot at Parkside Elementary. The pond had become a lake. And some of the picnic tables were completely submerged, except for just enough of the tabletops to be able to recognize what they were.

My flip flops broke early on, so I set them down and went barefoot the rest of the night. We did really well, all except for one shack/guest house/whatever that was flooded by the time we got there. When I went back to retrieve my flip flops, I discovered that a channel had been built right on top of where they were. So they were carried away from the side of the street and taken back to the river. If anyone finds them downstream, feel free to keep them.

It was fun to keep running into people I know, including my uncle. I was impressed at how the community came together to help their neighbors. At the end of the night someone told me that I had been passing sandbags to Shawn Bradley (makes sense--he was TALL).


I have been around this river almost my whole life. When I was growing up, I knew it as the river in the gully. I've had 3 jobs in the Union Park area, where the river runs. I lived with my parents near the river by Wheeler Farm. And I currently spend lots of time by the river as it runs through Murray. This summer I'll be performing a show in the amphitheater right next to the river in Murray Park. So this river is like a home to me.

I used to spend hours in the river with my friend, who I always teased about being obsessed with the river. Truth be told, I loved the river almost as much as he did. So today at lunch I went to the gully to see how it looks in the place I've known the longest. I've always loved seeing the river during spring runoff. Today was no exception. Although I have to say that it's twice as big as I've ever seen it during runoff before. There are 3 rows of rock barricades, and only the top one is visible right now. I'm reminded of the time my friend and I thought it was a good idea to ride down the river during runoff on some inflatable pool mattresses. The plan was to jump out just before we got to the waterfall at the bridge. I'm lucky to have made it out of there without getting hurt, considering the slippery rocks and unexpectedly strong current. Although now, the waterfall would be nothing more than a quick rapid.

I'm glad I "got my feet wet" and helped out last night. It was a really good experience.