I was high above Rock Creek when I heard it roar. So I trotted down to creek level. The sight that greeted me was a captivating display of the power of water.
My Sunday morning hike followed the record-breaking July 21st rainstorm.
Rapids at times edged up to the trail.
As water swirled around trees, I wondered how long they will survive as water events such as these become more frequent.
From the foot bridge connecting the trail to Beach Drive, the water flowing by was hypnotizing. It was not difficult to understand the draw of kayaking in the rapids. The kayakers came out during a similarly “unusual” rain event last year. Where were they this time?
My answer was at the Joyce Road Bridge. The creek was not leaving much room for kayakers to come through.
A measuring instrument on the bridge provides information to the United Stated Geologic Survey about the water flowing at this point, such as height, volume, turbidity, PH, and nitrites/nitrates.
This graph shows creek height (in feet) following rain events in June and July. The creek on July 21st was the highest since the storm on June 2nd.
This graph shows creek flow by volume.
Across the way by the U.S. Park Police station, water had reached beyond the picnic tables.
According to Marjorie Rachlin’s rain gauge, our area got five or more inches on Saturday. We are supposed to get more rain this week with heavy downpours like we saw Sunday afternoon.
The water is going to continue to roar in Rock Creek and through many of our other smaller streams. I expect Broad Branch Road and possibly Beach Drive will flood. So drivers: Be careful. Remember, the flood warning lights on Broad Branch do not work.
And you can be sure that I will be out hiking.