the view from here

I think I've shared with you before, but in case you forgot, we live on a hill overlooking the city of Bismarck, North Dakota.


In case you haven't heard, Bismarck is flooding.

The first picture above shows Apple Creek last summer. The second picture shows a swollen Apple Creek last week. The Missouri River (below) is backing up into this creek.

A larger than normal snowpack in the Rockies and record rainfalls west of us have filled reservoirs, forcing the Army Corps of Engineers to release record amounts of water from Garrison Dam, 75 miles north of Bismarck, and open spillway gates for the first time since the dam was completed in 1953.


For almost two weeks, we have been helping our community prepare for flooding: moving people's belongings to the highest levels of their homes or evacuating them completely, babysitting, filling sandbags and building dikes.

The water came slowly at first.

But last Saturday morning, it was evident the water level was quickly rising in response to increased output from Garrison Dam, where the water level is approaching the top of the spillway gates.

Many are displaced. Many will lose their homes.

And the water is only supposed to get higher. It has been estimated that the water will rise 3 to 3.5 feet above flood stage. And remain until August.

Please remember those affected by this flooding in your prayers. Thank you.