What a difference a week makes.
On April 16, snow, sleet and rain caused travel problems and traffic accidents, as temperatures remained in the 30s. Just one week later, on April 23, sunny skies and temperatures reaching the upper 70s caused snow and ice to melt, creating flooding in some areas.
In Washburn, the intersection of Main and Berce streets resembled a small waterfall, as runoff ran down Berce, then headed out of town on Main. Town officials were busy keeping drains open so water wouldn’t pool. Side streets and residences along waterways in Washburn also saw water issues, as vehicles shared roadways with small streams of water and lawns turned to wadding areas as rising water overflowed their banks.
Road crews were busy in areas where brooks and streams are located. The Hughes Road was reportedly flooding at one point Monday afternoon, with water running across the road.
In Presque Isle Tuesday, the Presque Isle Stream was running high, mostly free of ice, helping bring the level of the Aroostook River up as well. At the bridge over the Aroostook River near the mall, the water level hadn’t reached what it was a year ago when flooding occurred at the boat launch.
At lunchtime Tuesday, vehicles could be spotted randomly stopping in parking lots on both sides of the river as sightseers snapped photos of the annual thaw and rising water. The river was flowing quite fast, with large ice chunks passing under the bridge with about three feet or more to spare. Motorists were still able to get down to the boat launch parking area to observe from the Reach Road side of the river as well.
Once the snow is gone and the water goes down, it will be time for fiddleheads.
Until then, police and game wardens advise using caution in flooded areas.
