Lots and Lots of Water

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

You may have noticed my comments over the years about little rain, lots of dry and lots of heat. Also further comments about the persistence of cold, rainy, wet days we have been having this year. These days have been very welcome as it did seem that the drought continued on and on. Indeed it is not since our very first year here in Adelaide, 2005, that I have experienced such rain and periods of wet. I recall driving through the Adelaide Hills during the wet spring of 2005 in awe and wonder at the amounts of water flowering down creeks and rivers, wondering why Adelaide had such a reputation for being a dry city and South Australia, a desert state. Over the years I have come to realise.

This year however, the tide has turned. The rains have returned.

After our Father's Day brunch it was our dear Generous Gentleman who suggested we take a drive in the hills to view the spillway at Kangaroo Creek Reservoir. We had very heavy rains with storms on Friday which has filled most of the reservoirs to over 90% capacity.

Kangaroo Creek Reservoir

We made our way towards Gorge Road where the views were spectacular. We parked along the side of the road with numerous other residents wandering along the main road viewing the sights. Cars were everywhere in a place where you would never usually stop and get out along this windy stretch of road. Yet the small car park was overfilled!

Spillway overflowing at Kangaroo Creek Reservoir

This site is the one we were all eager to view. Spectacular!

To be reminded of the enormous power of water, take a peak at this video.

The flooded River Torrens further downstream

I'm not sure how many escape routes these people have!

Meanwhile many parts of the north of Victoria are in flood and people have been evacuated from their homes. Our thoughts are with you, our neighbours to the east.