Wednesday, July 13, 2011

High Water Mark

Well, today's post is more for information than for photography.

Markers on a Bulkeley Bridge column indicate the normal seasonal high water level at Hartford and the water levels in three past major Connecticut River floods.
 
The normal river level at Hartford is 3.8 feet, way below the bridge supports, as shown above.  The normal spring flood level is 20 feet above sea level, the lowest of the four markers on the bridge support and perhaps four feet above this part of the walkway.

The highest flood level in Hartford was at 37.0 feet above sea level in March 1936, marked by the highest of the four markers on the bridge support.  A nearby plaque explains that the ground was frozen solid and about 30 inches of snow were on the ground when the 1936 rains began.  Fourteen inches of rain fell over nine days and triggered the flood.
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26 comments:

  1. Cezar and LéiaJuly 13, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    A huge and beautiful bridge, I love the first composition, it's a perfect place for a walking in these sunny days of Summer!
    Léia

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  2. HalcyonJuly 13, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Wow! It's hard to imagine that much water. It's a good thing they have the marker to remind us. Mother Nature can be tough at times. :)

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  3. KateJuly 13, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    The greenery along the river bank is lush and lovely. the high water mark is quite amazing; hard to imagine the river swollen to that height.

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  4. BirdmanJuly 13, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    I'm sure that much H2O brought much hardship. Highest 1937. Surprised it's been so long.

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  5. jooJuly 13, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Beautiful bridge! I love the first photo.
    have a nice afternoon!

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  6. brattcatJuly 13, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    I cannot imagine the Connecticut rising that high! What a great post, Jack.

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  7. LynetteJuly 13, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Totally frightening facts to go along with your good photos, Jack.

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  8. PerthDailyPhotoJuly 13, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Does that mean that the River level is particularly low right now Jack as it's not up to the normal level for this time? Great post and beautiful picture of the river flowing under the bridge.

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  9. SharonJuly 13, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Looking at these pictures, it's hard to imagine water that high. That must have been a very destructive flood.

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  10. Genie -- Paris and BeyondJuly 13, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    It is frightening to think of the damage caused by those heights. I am glad that the spring thaw and rains spared Hartford this year.

    Interesting post and the first shot gives great perspective and a lovely view under the bridge.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  11. Sylvia KJuly 13, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Love the first shot, such a lovely bridge! It is frightening to think of that much water and the damage it can do -- and is doing in so many places this year! Glad Connecticut hasn't been one of them! Hope you have a great day, Jack!

    Sylvia

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  12. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comJuly 13, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    The run off is probably more rapid now because of the greater amount of ground that is paved over in the surrounding urban and suburban areas.

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  13. MalyssJuly 13, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    How interesting! i've seen such markers in Paris; The highest flood was in 1910, and such a flood today would be 1) possible and 2)even more destroying. Markers are a good idea, people forget quickly..

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  14. Leif HagenJuly 13, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Yikes - floods and high water are terrible! We're had our fair share of floods in Minnesota this year! I'm glad to live in "High ground" Eagan!

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  15. T. BecqueJuly 13, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    That looks like a pretty area. That's amazing the water got that high! Any danger of it happening again?

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  16. cieldequimperJuly 13, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    1936 must have been bad.

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  17. VPJuly 13, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Too often many of our friends forget that photography per se is not the scope of City Daily Photo.
    You are right posting informative images with a very interesting story.
    We have similar marks in our cities and you just gave me an idea for some future posts.

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  18. RedPatJuly 13, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    I love this post Jack! It is astounding to see those 1936 levels.

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  19. youth_in_asiaJuly 13, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    I had an idea that's what those markers were for, but wow. It's amazing to think of that entire area being submerged.

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  20. Regina KJuly 13, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Wow! And I agree with most that top photo is charming.

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  21. MichelleJuly 13, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    Holy cow...that is a high water mark.

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  22. VirginiaJuly 13, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Perfect timing. I came home this afternoon through a little flash flood situation near here. Mother Nature has a way of bringing us up short , doesn't she! We're ok here and glad you are too.
    V

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  23. RandyJuly 13, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Excellent post Jack. Nice walkway too.

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  24. Oakland Daily PhotoJuly 14, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    That was a lot of bad mojo going on in 1936. I wonder if global warming will change that water level profile on your bridge?

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  25. EG CameraGirlJuly 14, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    There's been quite a lot of flooding this year in Canada. None where I am although the lakes are quite high. Parts of Quebec and Manitoba have been inundated.

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  26. UnknownJuly 14, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Amazing and almost hard to believe!

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