Some amazing preliminary observations of the flood records

[Deadstream]

Al, as much as I agree with you... I really don't give a hoot anymore.  Sad, but I just care anymore

[Mark]

I know I have grown sick of politics and politicians. Politics was never intended to be a career, and definitely not a profitable career.

[Greasy B]

14 hours ago, Deadstream said:

Al, as much as I agree with you... I really don't give a hoot anymore.  Sad, but I just care anymore

I whole heartedly agree. It's not worth investing time and emotions into only to realize you've put your faith in fools, liars and theives. 

I'm going to focus my efforts on family and friends, and in finding Bluegill beds. 

[jfrith]

Al, with the size of the most recent flood what kind of effect does that have on smallmouth populations? Specifically in the upper meremac.

[Al Agnew]

They evolved to handle big floods, and this one was warm water, so they weren't sluggish.  It might make a big dent in this year class due to the timing...1-2 inch smallies can't handle floods like the adults can.  But I don't think there will be a big difference in the number of adult fish in the river, just that for a while it will be harder to fish because of all the changes and the downed trees and such.

[Terrierman]

 

At some point outdoorsmen have to get to the point where the single greatest issue facing our resource isn't something we have to tiptoe around. It's happening, half the darn state is underwater, and if it hasn't smacked you in the face it will soon enough. I for one am done trying to pretend it's something we can afford not to discuss.

I'm not arguing anything. I'm long since done with that. Believe what you want.

I am a natural resource scientist, and the future of our streams, forests, and everything we hold dear, in the face of climate change is something we need to plan for. It's not a debate, it's a reality that it's past time to face.

 

I fear it is too late.

[Coosa]

 

Yeah!   Everybody does everything in flip-flops nowadays, and that's why nothing is worth a crap. ?

Whenever I come across something that is a POS I'm gonna blame it on flip-flops from now on.  

I banned flip flops from my home! Got so sick of trips being ruined because the kids and wife don't have the sense to wear real shoes. I finally said no more flip flops!

[fishinwrench]

Yeah I did too, but nobody listens to me.

So my new deal is..... Take yourself to the ER, or call an ambulance, because I am NOT going, and I am not signing anything or paying the bill.   

Fair warning.

[MOPanfisher]

Nooooo flip flops.  My wife is in an air cast because of them on Saturday.  She drove her standard transmission car as far as urgent care, then I got a friend to give me a ride to springfield to pick her up.  I think she just wanted a chauffeur.

[cart7]

On 5/4/2017 at 9:48 AM, Greasy B said:

Your right about the "might have helped" but then it doesn't make any sense to create several permanent floods to prevent the occasional temporary flood. The only real solution to flood damage is to stay out of harms way. 

To be fair, I voted against the dam way back but my choice had nothing to do with saving the river or any tree hugging issues.  No, it had more to do with the findings that kept popping up during the initial construction that was pointing to the dam as going the way of a boondoggle that would eventually leak, and badly, due to the geology of the ground in and around the dam site itself.  You can read about it here:

 

http://www.rollanet.org/~conorw/cwome/article69&70combined.htm

 

Political pressures had that dam site moved from around St Clair up to Sullivan.  The grounds in and around St Clair were more conducive to a dam with no issues, up around Sullivan, the Karst geology of the surrounding area made it highly likely that the Meramec Dam would've likely never held water without significant repairs having to be made after construction and even those wouldn't have fixed the problem.  IE: see the Hales Barr dam in TN that eventually was decommissioned due to significant leakage even after costly repairs were attempted or the Cumberland Lake dam in KY having similar issues over the years.

It would've been nice to have a reservoir on the Meramec, the Bourbeuse and Big rivers all within about an hours drive from St Louis.  This city is sadly lacking in lakes/reservoirs around it compared to so many other cities in the US.