Flood Warning!

We made a return trip to the Whitewater River Preserve Monday but were disappointed to find we could not do the four-mile Red Dome hike. Recent flood damage has resulted in the river not being safe to cross. Previously we had hop-scotched across a few streams and taken two board walk bridges but this time a pretty strong if narrow rushing river had destroyed one of the foot bridges and stern signs urged people to go no further.  

Weather warnings are now in place for more damaging floods in the next 24 hours. The staff at the preserve have had to continually repair the trails, moving large stones to make pathways and rebuilding bridge boardwalks. The preserve is now closed for at least two days for safety and subsequent repairs. What an exhausting year this must be for them.

Pictures are from Monday. 

One of the smaller passable streams. In the upcoming days,
the flood plain will possibly be inundated. 

Remains of the foot bridge

The pathway ends where the remaining pieces of the broken bridge lie scattered. 
The path on the other side is so close but so far. We could hear boulders being tossed in the currents.

Strangely beautiful patterns left in the mud deposited over previous stone-lined pathway. 

Today's sky full of rain which, added to snow melt, will result in floods.