Louise's Utopia: Heavy Rains and Flooding Will Rally In Summer At Coteau Valley Farm South Dakota

This past week has brought torrents of rain to the area. Storm after storm landed over five inches of water on the farm! The water table became so saturated that the fields burst with small ponds everywhere. The water flowed in heavy currents in some areas, leaving massive erosion in fields and on gravel roadways. There were areas of land that the wind had swept over violently, pressing the tall grass firmly against the earth.

The forceful winds, heavy rains, thunder, and lightning left a mark on the farm. A handful of our freshly planted whips were found scattered in the yard, having been pulled out of the ground. Their tiny roots were no match for the high winds. To the west of the house, a deep pond formed quickly. The culverts on the driveway overflowed with water, unable to keep up with the heavy downpour. 

Much of Sisseton found itself drowning in deep water as well. The park and a few businesses had a big job of cleaning up on Friday morning. I noticed one business located geographically close to the creek in Sisseton was underwater, and the small buildings at the business were carried away in the current of the overflowing creek.

Lakes Gas was completely submerged, and the entire city of Sisseton reeked of propane. I never found out why Sisseton smelled so badly of gas, but it did. I felt sick smelling it because the fumes were so pungent. 

I noticed the ag fields had extensive erosion, and some young corn was now crushed into the mud by wind and water. Not to worry, I am sure with some sunlight, they will spring back up and grow fine, if the sun comes. We have not had much sun or warmth here; it's been constant drear, so it’s hard to tell if those crops will rebound or not. I am sure most of the crops around here are subsidized, so it makes little difference to the farmers. It’s a curious situation they find themselves in, grow a crop, or don’t, the government, AKA you and I, will pay for it, either way! That would be a fine job, whether you succeed or not, you're paid a check! I am sure that with all the flooding and water moving everywhere, the pesticides are polluting everything and everyone. It takes five years for the soil to recover from the poison. But all of that is insignificant to many.

The birds and wildlife were also upset by the heavy rains. I saw many birds that seemed to be searching for their nests in the fields. I am sure some nests were carried away with the water. Birds like the Western Meadowlark that nest on the ground, or the Killdeer. That is a shame, but nature always bounces back.

More rain has already fallen, and still more is expected this week. The rainfall totals will be high in the end, there is no doubt. It will be fun to see just how much rain fell this week.

It’s already Summer on the twentieth of the month, which is hard to swallow. Time is passing, and the seasons are changing before my eyes. What happens to those moments that are now past, those shadowy seconds of my life that seem to dissipate into the horizon, leaving me alone and without?

I can already see the sunshine, though, and the clouds have lifted, and the water is quickly receding. God alone will sift out this past time and find the wheat in the moments, if there is any to be discovered. That is a scary thought. All the moments that I live, are they all just weeds, or is there a field of wheat growing inside of me waiting to fall to the ground and grow on without me? I wonder.

I hope we will get some sunshine and blue skies. Maybe see some flowers in the garden and deep, healthy grasses on the prairie.

#Heavy Rains and Flooding in South Dakota At Coteau Valley Farm