Flood: River Reverses, Changes Course

Did you know that the floods in the Northeast in May changed the path of a river? That's right. The Suncook river in New Hampshire stopped meandering and started heading straight southwest near Bear Island. NASA's page, which has close-up satellite images, says it was "the most dramatic change in a New Hampshire river course in history." See also article on Bloomberg.com, which says that it "turned into a raging vortex, shifted into reverse -- and changed course."This local website page has more details and photos.

The river's move has upset the local ecosystems and tourist economy. NASA says:

The state is studying the event and trying to determine what the impacts will be on fish and other river life, as the stretch of river was a popular angling spot. In addition, owners of former riverside restaurants, campgrounds, and other tourist spots hope the state will try to divert the river back into its former bed. Geologists and engineers are studying the change and trying to determine what, if anything, should be done about the river’s new path.

Fortunately, unlike last week, the heavy rain will be in Northern New England today into Thursday.

Nonetheless, the National Weather Service has issued flood watches (light green) for much of the Northeast because, despite the recent respite, almost any rain at all could spell overflowing creeks and rivers.