I will start with an apology for being AWOL for 6 weeks. Much of what is in Deer Lodge was blogged last year and the weather has kept us from venturing too far. I will be posting a few things we've done.
This post will be about the most significant flooding here in 30 years. The town grew up around Cottonwood Creek starting in the 1800's and is the second oldest town in Montana. The natural creek bed follows an "S" curve right through the center of town that contributes to flooding at times of heavy rain accompanied by melting mountain snow.
About 4:30, Larry decided to go downtown to check on a bike he had seen at the local pawn shop. On the way down Main St., nothing was unusual. When he got to the shop, he noticed water flowing down a side street toward main. He was inside for just a few minutes. By the time he came out, the way back home was covered with water and he had to circle around on I-90. We decided to walk down to the grocery store because the rain was taking a break. This is what we found.
The only way to get to the store to wade. That was highly discouraged by a deputy sheriff. He pointed to the adjacent gas station
and said that someone had tried to cross and had received an electrical shock. It was obvious that the creek was now blocking Main St., so we decided to retrace our steps to higher ground to check on my friend, Ranger Lyndel, whose home is situated very close to the creek. Her place was still in "safe" territory and we continued to walk around the area of the creek.
This is where Cottonwood Creek passes under I-90. On the far side is ranch land where the water only impacts pasture. These culverts are huge. To us, it looked like a dam when they open the flood gates.
We followed the creek west as it passed through town.
The creek goes to the right. To the left is a street. They have constructed a gravel & earth dam down the center of the street in an attempt to contain the flow.
A number of years ago, the city contracted the building of a retaining wall intended to keep high water within the channel. I believe they will be in contact with the contractor since he obviously failed to create an adequate foundation. The river is washing the soil from under the wall and it has mostly collapsed. Construction probably cost the city a quarter of a mil.
This is one of several homes threatened by the water.
We saw huge gravel trucks bringing in loads and dumping them for dozers to push into place. Every area construction company sent operators and equipment. The local logging company sent machines to snare logs and other debris from the flow.
Main Street
In spite of everything, there are those who just wonder what's going on.
