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CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
WEEKLY MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor MacLean, Councilors and Department Heads
FROM: Anne Davis, Interim City Manager
DATE: January 29, 2010
RE: Weekly Memo
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Next Week's City Meetings are available on our Calendar
For most of the year, the Kennebec River is a destination place for fishing, kayaking, sightseeing and hiking. In Gardiner, it is a beautiful river that has had very little development along it that would jar the spectacular views and disturb the wildlife.
This week, it is showing a very different dimension. It is ominous, cold and dangerous. Today, we have an almost 2 mile ice jam poised towards Gardiner. The pictures are spectacular and at first glance, the shards of ice and snow in the river are mesmerizing. The sight encourages spectators to get as close as possible to view this unique ice display. This draw to the river will be compounded when 3 Coast Guard ice cutters arrive in Gardiner sometime tomorrow.
Usually, when these cutters arrive in Gardiner, they tie up to the boardwalk and invite spectators to visit the ships. This will not be the case this weekend. The sailors have a job to do and that is to help safeguard the residents and our waterfront properties from damage. They hope to keep the Kennebec River open below the bridge. The hope is that should the jam break away and move, the water will remain open so that the jam can move downriver and not fetch up again in South Gardiner.
There are very few models to guide us. This situation is rare enough that there is too much left to chance. Mother Nature can be very powerful. We have taken some steps to keep everyone safe. Currently, we have re-opened the Arcade Parking Lot, but that does not mean the danger has passed. We may be forced to close it quickly so please do not leave your car unattended for long lengths of time. The waterfront parking lot will remain closed indefinitely to both cars and pedestrians. In Augusta, the river rose fast enough to cover a car in less than 8 minutes. Our police department has put up barricades and we ask that you stay away from the waterfront; the danger is too high. Our EMT/Firefighters warn me that the river is so dangerous, water rescues would be almost
impossible…the river and the ice flows make for a deadly mix.
Like the Sword of Damocles, this danger could remain for awhile. We do not know when the jam will move so the threat could remain until spring thaw. I encourage everyone to avoid getting put in a dangerous situation and stay away from the river. Please remember to check our website for any updates. If we have any news, we will post it. I look forward to a lazy July day when the river will lazily flow by us as we enjoy a summer picnic along the banks of our spectacular Kennebec River. Unfortunately, that is still almost 6 months away.
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