Downriver Dispatches

Grays River Floods Again

The year 2021 began with the overflowing of the Grays River watershed. This is not an unusual event, but it does inconvenience many of the farmers who live in the Westend who have to take their cattle to higher ground. Fortunately many of the farmers here have their barns secure from flooding so their cows are safe. The barn in the photo shows the extent of the flooding in the valley next to the Rosburg Store. It looks like a big lake showed up. Within the next few days as the rain subsides, you will not even know there was any flooding at all.

The river had crested at 15.01 feet on Saturday. This is just nine tenths of a foot below major flooding. Flood stage for Grays River at Rosburg is at 12 feet and the highest recorded flood crest was in Dec. 3, 2007, at 16.5 feet. According to the National Weather Service, this present flood was producing a flow rate of well over 15,000 cubic feet of water per second. That is over 100,000 gallons of water passing by one point in one second. That is a lot of water, enough to uproot trees and further clog the river downstream.

Many of the roads are closed due to high water. Loop road is closed as well as the roadway approaches to the Altoona Bridge over the Grays River, portions of the Covered Bridge Road, and the Barr-Durrah Road.

In case of road closures it may be a good idea to review emergency road exits. For future reference look at the Grays River Emergency Flood Routes at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr&gage=grrw1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6.

Westend News

Seniors over the age of 55 can enjoy a wonderful lunch delivered safely every Thursday at the Rosburg Hall just west of the Rosburg Store off of State Highway 4 West. Lower Columbia Community Action Program, better known as CAP, is delivering take out lunches to Rosburg Hall for pickup on Thursdays between noon and about 12:15 p.m. If you should wish to participate in the CAP Lunch Program at any time please contact Diane Hollenbeck at 360-465-2991.

The following meals will be served for the month of January. Jan. 7, turkey á la king, biscuit, corn and carrots, tossed salad; Jan. 14, chicken divan, roasted potatoes, capri vegetables, sliced peaches; Jan. 21, pork chops & gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, sliced oranges; and Jan. 28, sloppy joe's, French fries, tossed salad, sliced peaches.