Warmer spring like temperatures have arrived in the Missisquoi Watershed and although it is unclear how long they will stick around, what it means for now is snowmelt, ice melt, and rainfall. When t00 much of this snowmelt, ice melt, and rainfall enters a river, it can lead to flooding. Flooding negatively impacts communities in many ways. It can lead to property damage, wash away roads, threaten safety, destroy wildlife habitat, cause erosion and sedimentation, and pollute the waters.
To see the current status of the Missisquoi River and its tributaries, Pearl got in the car and headed out. She went to many different points in the river such as East Richford access points, Northern Forest Canoe Trail campsites, downtown Richford, Davis Park, Berkshire, and everywhere in-between.
What Pearl experienced was high waters, fast moving waters, ice and logs moving down the river, flooded fields, river breakaways, trees underwater, and honking geese.
This is not the first time Pearl has seen flooding this year and it certainly will not be the last. If you live somewhere that can be impacted by flooding be sure to keep an eye on the weather and water levels and go to higher ground if necessary. Be alert and stay safe!
