How high's the water, Mama?

Jan. 15, 2018

Sandbag precaution at the banks of Sam's Canal as it flows by Rainbow Park.

Sam's Canal in the snow

Jan. 2, 2011

Sandbags on standby

Dec. 31, 2011. Sometimes Sam's Canal can get a little crazy, and the folks at Rainbow Park are prepared if that happens.

No baseball today

Dec. 12, 2010. In the "100 year flood" of 1990, I think it was, I saw Beerbower Park completely under water, basically a lake. The pedestrian bridge over Sam's Canal washed away. First St. north of Mommsen was a river. It didn't help that Simpson had just clearcut the woods on Hospital Hill so the runoff was extra bad.

Simpson cut all those trees and then turned the site into a residential development (now on Oak Lane) originally and ironically named "Evergreen Heights." You could make this stuff up, but no one would believe you. 

Salamander at Rainbow Park

Sept. 11, 2012. He was placed back at Sam's Canal

Sandbags for Sam's Canal

Sandbags lined up at Rainbow Park in preparation for the expected rising waters in Sam's Canal. Feb. 17, 2014

Split tree

Split tree on Fir and Fourth. Jan. 20, 2012

In the background is "The Jungle" portion of Sam's Canal (named in honor of Sam Lanning, who attempted to channel the community's open sewer back in the old days)

"The Jungle" is a remainder and reminder that at one time most of the flat portion of McCleary was once a cedar swamp.