It's been a while since I've sat down and cracked open this blog.
I started this blog back in 2008 to document when northern Tuscarawas County experienced 3 historic 100 year floods. Yes, 3 floods, each 3 years apart, all "100 year" category. The first flood in 2005 literally turned the communities of Wilkshire Hills and Zoar into an island. Roads were impassable for nearly a month as well as the local school system was forced to close to for that same amount of time because of the waters that wouldn't recide. Then again in 2008 another flood closed roads and schools once again, but due to the failing structural nature of the Bolivar Dam the area was still accessible both in and out as they we unable to hold back water to the north. Again in 2011 another flood impacted the region however, that's when the real fears began for historic Zoar Village. The levee that was built to protect the town had deteriorated due to the previous two floods and was in serious danger of failing. Since then steps have been underway to fix what can be fixed to stabilize that levee and plans are underway to permanently repair the levee to ensure Zoar's future.
But, fast forward to today and it seems that it's starting all over again.
Over the past couple of weeks, heavy rain and snow have plagued northeast Ohio leading to a lot of water running into the Tuscarawas River. With all the build up, the Army Corp of Engineers have taken measure to hold back water behind the Bolivar and Dover dams like normal to protect the towns south of the dam, (Dover, New Philadelphia, all the way down to the Muskingum River). However, this past week has been pretty rainy and the water is really backing up once again behind the Dover Dam causing river levels to rise back into Bolivar. According to the quick Google Map I did, that's approx 9 miles to the north. In the past when the water gets much higher direct access to the freeway usually gets cut off due to water covering the roads. The Tuscarawas Valley Local School District took the initiative on Friday, 2/23, to alert the area that there is a possibility school will have to be cancelled early next week due to impassable roads.
Today, (2/24/2018), the weather forecast is calling for rain this morning, some quiet, then a lot of rain tonight into tomorrow. So far today per my meter, we've had .17 inches of rain in the Zoar area. If we get a lot tonight it's going to be interesting to see what the water levels behind the Dover Dam rise to. Right now, as of 10:00 am, the water levels behind Dover Dam are at 891 feet. The record set in 2005 was 907.35. I hope we don't reach that high of a level, but I know it's going to be up higher before this weather system is all done with us.
In the past, I've documented the waters from the ground with my camera. This time, I also have a drone and will be sharing images from the air. Stay tuned for more and don't forget to check out the local Tuscarawas weather forecasts on the Tuscarawas Weather Network's site! I've also updated the links on this blog to give up to the minute information on both the Bolivar and Dover dams.
Here's some video I shot yesterday over the Dover Dam and Zoar. (I thought the surfing music was a nice touch.)
Today, (2/24/2018), the weather forecast is calling for rain this morning, some quiet, then a lot of rain tonight into tomorrow. So far today per my meter, we've had .17 inches of rain in the Zoar area. If we get a lot tonight it's going to be interesting to see what the water levels behind the Dover Dam rise to. Right now, as of 10:00 am, the water levels behind Dover Dam are at 891 feet. The record set in 2005 was 907.35. I hope we don't reach that high of a level, but I know it's going to be up higher before this weather system is all done with us.
In the past, I've documented the waters from the ground with my camera. This time, I also have a drone and will be sharing images from the air. Stay tuned for more and don't forget to check out the local Tuscarawas weather forecasts on the Tuscarawas Weather Network's site! I've also updated the links on this blog to give up to the minute information on both the Bolivar and Dover dams.
Here's some video I shot yesterday over the Dover Dam and Zoar. (I thought the surfing music was a nice touch.)
