cisco
04-14-2001, 12:29 PM
It is indeed tragic that so many people are being hit with damaging flood water after having lost to the floods of 1997. However, there may be a positive side to all of this. As with Mississippi River floodplain folks after the disastrous 1993 floods, perhaps structures will be moved off the floodplain -- it is still quite true that the best flood control is set-back. In Illinois and Missouri, entire towns were moved to higher ground. Channeling the water with ever higher levees just speeds the water downstream, causing more trouble there.
It's strange, too, hearing a half dozen different people on Twin Cities TV complaining about Corps of Engineers "predictions." So many speak of the 50 year high and 100 year high (a couple said 500 year high, but the Corps doesn't have such a figure) and then say "how come?" -- The 100-yr high is simple a probability. Meaning, it is improbable that the same high water mark would be hit more than once in 100 years. But, improbable is not impossible. 100-yr high water marks can be hit in consecutive years.
Perhaps we'll learn to respect natural forces and learn to leave some things, e.g. wetlands, alone. And, will all the hard working volunteers come back to help once the flood waters recede? Folks need help before the high mark, and they also need help after the water's back down. Good luck.
It's strange, too, hearing a half dozen different people on Twin Cities TV complaining about Corps of Engineers "predictions." So many speak of the 50 year high and 100 year high (a couple said 500 year high, but the Corps doesn't have such a figure) and then say "how come?" -- The 100-yr high is simple a probability. Meaning, it is improbable that the same high water mark would be hit more than once in 100 years. But, improbable is not impossible. 100-yr high water marks can be hit in consecutive years.
Perhaps we'll learn to respect natural forces and learn to leave some things, e.g. wetlands, alone. And, will all the hard working volunteers come back to help once the flood waters recede? Folks need help before the high mark, and they also need help after the water's back down. Good luck.