Eastern Lake open 4-16-09

It opened after that big rainfall we had about ten days ago. I posted some pics of the outlet from a distance, before and after.

Western Lake broke out too, and has been open and closed intermittently, and naturally. We really don't need humans doing it.

I saw your pix. Eastern's closed and reopened since then. Probably from this week's storm.

It opened after that big rainfall we had about ten days ago. I posted some pics of the outlet from a distance, before and after.

Western Lake broke out too, and has been open and closed intermittently, and naturally. We really don't need humans doing it.

You're right. Mother Nature has a way of doing what she wants, when she wants, how she wants to do it and it's nice when she's respected.

Cool pics!

It last broke open Monday night and it was fierce. I took some pics but, obviously, it being night, did not provide an adequate image. But I've yet to see an opening so fresh. The water was absolutely insane. I crossed its path near the gulf and was barely able to stay upright at one point. It made me feel as though I were crossing a raging river in Yellowstone. It was really something.

But that is when the last break occurred, Monday night.

I crossed its path near the gulf and was barely able to stay upright at one point. It made me feel as though I were crossing a raging river in Yellowstone. It was really something.

If anyone does this, please be careful. The velocity of a fresh opening will typically exceed the speed of a rip current and can be very dangerous. I am especially concerned with children who think it would be fun to play in them as it can be like a washing machine and not a lazy river ride.

Good point, BeachSiO2. I watched a friend's kid in his little boat with a small motor on the back, try to go upstream at the Western Lake outflow last year. He quickly panicked as the boat lost traction. The water was moving maybe 4 times the speed of his motor. He had to aim for the bank and managed to get out, holding the rope tethered to the boat. He pulled it farther upstream where the current was more gentle, and got back home. His dad and I were just about to go in after him. Got to be a bit scary.

It's still flowing today, although not very hard. The water is much darker in color than usual.