Posts Tagged ‘Don Drumm Stadium’

WotM Weather Center: River Gauge, Marietta Floods, and You

This post is an educational tool for those unfamiliar with the flood plain of Marietta, OH.  Currently, there is a FLOOD WATCH for the Marietta area, with projections of river levels reaching Action Stage by the 16th.  Watch Writing on the Mall for projection updates as they are posted by the National Weather Service.

So you may be wondering what River Gauge is.  It’s the measurement taken at select sites up and down rivers across the country to help better map river levels.  There are two gauge sites near Marietta: one at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers on the Harmar side of the Muskingum, and one at the Willow Island Lock just upriver.

These gauge readings can tell us how close we are to flood stage at certain points.  At Marietta, as you can see on the image above, we start getting worried around the 33 foot mark, which is labeled an Action Stage.  Between 33 and 35 feet, the river threatens to overflow at its lowest points.  Action Stage also serves as a way to alert the community that the floodwaters could raise at any point.

Floodwaters between 35 and 38 feet are considered Flood Stage at Marietta.  Flooding first hits Don Drumm Stadium, as it is one of the lowest areas in town.  It takes 37 feet to affect Fourth Street housing.

Moderate Stage is when flood waters are between 38 and 40 feet.  At this stage, most of the West Virginia area along the river is flooded.  Flooding could affect the Hermann Bowl and areas along the creek.

When you get above 40 feet, you enter the Major Flood Stage, which is where seven of the ten largest floods in Marietta history have peaked.  At 40 feet, a majority of Marietta is flooded, along with Harmar and low-lying areas of Williamstown.  The largest flood in Marietta history topped out at over 58 feet.  You can still see markers on first street to commemorate the largest floods, with more recent markers showing where the 2004 flood was.  The September 2004 flood was nearly 45 feet, while the January 2005 flood was around 44 feet.

Looking Back: 2004 and 2005 Floods Changed College Preparedness

It was Friday Sept. 17, 2004. Remnants of Hurricane Ivan had just come through dropping almost five inches of rain over the Mid-Ohio Valley during the day. The Ohio River and its tributaries were already swollen due to three and a half inches of rain from the week before, when remnants of Hurricane Frances came through.

Early that Friday morning the National Weather Service in Charleston predicted that the Ohio River at Marietta would crest just above flood stage. Then later that afternoon, the National Weather Service called off the flood warning and said that the Ohio River at Marietta would crest more than a foot below flood stage.

Read more…

Winter Break Quick Hits

A lot of news, but not a whole lot of background, so it’s a Quick Hits article.

• Breaking the Bank:  The Legacy Campaign crested $50 million in donations to Marietta College thanks to a donation from the Chlapaty family to the tune of $2.6 million.  The latest donation was earmarked to go towards renovations and upgrades at Don Drumm Stadium.  Their hope is to make the stadium more attractive and friendly for students, athletes, and potential Pioneers.  No word on what those renovations and upgrades will be, but as soon as I know, you will too.
• MC’s Top 10:  Writing on the Mall is working on it’s very own Top 10 list of news stories for the year, but for now, you can check out the official Marietta College Top 10.  The list includes everything from athletics, academics, growth, and the 175th anniversary.  We’re still taking your recommendations towards what you feel were the most important story lines of 2009.  Feel free to leave a comment with your input.
• Candid Camera – Late Night Breakfast Edition:  I was too busy enjoying the atmosphere of Late Night Breakfast to take photos and videos for the site, but have no fear.  Trusty photographer Jonathan “Jack” Brossart for the College has some pictures up on the College’s Flickr photostream.  Did you get photographed?
• DJ Correct In The House:  Still in Marietta?  Head over to the Thirsty Turtle (Route 47 in Parkersburg) to enjoy some great music and atmosphere.  December 24th (Thursday) is their College Night, with plenty of contests and specials for students.  DJ Correct will be providing the music.  He’ll also be there December 26th (Saturday).  Both nights start at 10 PM.  I haven’t been to the Thirsty Turtle, but hear it’s a pretty good bar to hang out at.
• Texts From Last Night:  Marietta College now has a Texts From Last Night group on Facebook.  It’s not really official in any way shape or form (as in, not officially TFLN sanctioned) but still worth a few good laughs.  Join the group and bust some winter break boredom.
• Post Your Events on The Mall:  Writing on the Mall is always looking to find out when your events are.  We try to post information for as many events as possible.  And we’d love to post your event.  Whether it is on campus, off campus, or online, we’ll post it on our calendar, our Twitter Feed, and our Facebook to help promote your event.  Just hit up the Contact page and send me (Patrick) an e-mail detailing your event or events for the Spring semester.  Things that would be helpful include the name of the event, a bit of background about the event, where it’s being held, what time its being held, and who it is open to.  Any other information can be provided