Heavy rain transformed Caboose Falls into a classroom again this week, offering all of us a firsthand look at how water moves across the property. While the downpour kept us tucked inside the cabooses much of the day, a few very brief breaks in the downpour revealed some problems.
Extreme Weather: Test and Teacher
Under normal conditions, our forested soil at Caboose Falls is a marvel of efficiency. Rainwater vanishes almost instantly, absorbed by the spongy layers of leaves and rich dirt. We’ve often remarked on how few puddles ever seem to form here, even after storms. But this rain storm was different. It poured down hard and didn’t stop for hours. The absorption capacity of the grounds reached its limit, and the overflow revealed several weak spots we’d never seen before.
The Driveway Trench: A Temporary Fix with Big Potential
Armed with our trusty mattock (a tool that has paid for itself a hundred times over – thank you Harbor Freight), we spent an hour carving out a shallow trench across the top of the driveway. The goal? Divert runoff water toward the ditch instead of letting it cascade down our driveway. The difference was immediate: runoff water volume plummeted, proving how even a rudimentary fix can have a big impact. But this was just a bandaid. Later this summer, we’ll return with a proper solution, likely a culvert pipe or a more strategically graded trench.
Slippery Slopes: Lessons from the New Trail
The freshly cut trail Christian cut a couple weeks ago was still soft. Add the saturation from the rain water and we had a slick challenge under our feet. The loose soil and steep grades made for tentative footing, but it also highlighted exactly where improvements are needed:
- Rock reinforcements will be needed to stabilize the path
- Drainage tweaks will help to prevent water from pooling on the tread
Neighborhood Challenges: Even the Railroad Struggled with Runoff
Even the neighbors had water problems to deal with. CSX had men digging out the nearby crossing after a clogged culvert sent massive amounts of water and eroded material right over their tracks.
Looking Ahead
This rainy day underscored two truths:
- Small interventions can yield big payoffs (that makeshift trench was a victory!).
- Observation is everything. Being on-site during a storm revealed more than any fair-weather survey could.
— Until next time, stay muddy and motivated.
