Subj : flood stuff was: Vacation To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Wed Sep 25 2019 08:57:00 Hi Nancy! NB>>>> Still quite impressive... I'm sure that people are hoping to not NB>>>> have a repeat of this next year, however exciting it's been... ;) BM>>> While taking a row boat down 3rd St is unique I don't think Davenport BM>>> plans to become the Venice of the U.S.! NB>>> Wasn't that much fun to do it regularly.... ;) BM>> No, though one could adapt. With River Drive closed the usual detour BM>> was to use Locust St. (18th block from the River), or Kimberly Rd. BM>> (37th block up) or 53rd St. (guess!) -- the way the roads are now BM>> they're the only streets consistently going through plus able to handle BM>> heavier traffic; other streets will 'disappear' for a block or two and BM>> then restart -- fine for light traffic but not for thoroughfare BM>> traffic. NB>> We have some streets like that, too... often because of train tracks, NB>> or putting in expressways or similar... :) BM> Generally not the reason for the interruption here. Some have a BM> reason of a steep hill or ravine. Most seem to have no reason now but BM> possibly in the past a small farm or large property. And there are a BM> handful of streets which jog; almost like the Internet joke picture of BM> the bridge being constructed and the two halves don't align. NB> We've got the ravines and such too in places... and the NB> occasional jog in some streets as well... In Syracuse, there are NB> a few major streets that the name stays with the street as it NB> makes a right or left turn, and the straightaway has a new NB> name... probably history behind that, too... but it can catch a NB> visitor off guard for sure... That could be a little confusing! Here Kimberly Rd. is generally east- west from one end of Davenport to the other; gets into Bettendorf and almost immediately takes a 90ø turn east down to the River. (?!) No idea why -- like you mentioned there is probably a historic reason. ....If one continues straight from Davenport's Kimberly Rd. goes into Bettendorf's Spruce Hills Drive. It is hilly, maybe was a patch of spruce woods originally? BM>> As for the 'Venice option', would be interesting as a tourist BM>> attraction but we don't have the history to make it logical. Well, BM>> other than flooding. Suppose if they did go through with the concept BM>> would also include road revisions. I think River Drive was only BM>> flooded for a few blocks beyond the downtown area, just traffic was BM>> rerouted miles before because of being able to get to the detour routes BM>> easily/conveniently. Elevate or otherwise protect a section, then BM>> reroute around 'Venice- Davenport'. In the downtown area walkways and BM>> shuttles.... Probably better to stick with the floodwall and keep BM>> things dry! NB>> It's an intriging option all the same... ;) The Erie Canal used to NB>> run right through downtown Rochester... when the Barge Canal was put NB>> in, the Erie was drained and used first for a subway, and then just as NB>> streets (part became part of one of the expressways)... Now there are NB>> people arguing for replacing a portion of the Erie Canal downtown as a NB>> tourist attraction... ;) BM> They dig out for the canal then they fill it back in for the subway! BM> As for the tourist attraction, could see that. People watch the ships, BM> barges, etc., go through the lock and dam system here. A history of BM> how the Canal was conceptualized and constructed and used could be BM> interesting. NB> I don't think anything that extensive would be put in downtown NB> here... People can go down to the Barge Canal, still much in use, NB> to see how the locks and dams work... there are regular river NB> boat cruises here, in various parts of the system, too... Our NB> high school class did that twice for a reunion activity... a NB> dinner cruise... :) Was anyone suspicious of the 'fresh fish' dinner option?! BM> ...This week there have been brief news blurbs on flood recovery, etc. BM> One popular new restaurant is not re-opening; I don't recall details BM> on why but apparently was popular with the anchor staff at the TV BM> station the way the conversation went. Some other stores/shops/ BM> eateries/etc. are not reopening but their sites have been leased and BM> so replaced. NB> So recovery is continuing apace... ;) Yes. To me the smart thing to do would be to re-establish out of areas of future potential flooding but then that single requirement isn't always logically possible: moving inland a few additional blocks and one is out of downtown and into residential. About a dozen blocks up the hill one gets into another mostly business section but it's not with a 'downtown feel'. BM> As for the floodwall, slowly moving and read where consultants BM> familiar with projects of this size will be called in. NB> So maybe something will be in place for the next flood season... NB> ;) Unfortunately not. Actually there is minor flooding going on currently: the Mississippi and other local rivers are from close to to just above flood stage -- not enough to make it necessary to wade through Downtown Davenport but some streets have been closed downriver. BM>> activity at the nest. ... Post from a week ago: of the four eagles BM>> they're tracking (I'm guessing the two form this year and two a BM>> previous year) three are in northern Wisconsin and one was up there and BM>> returned to the Quad Cities area (here). His tracking map indicated in BM>> an area downriver from Arsenal Island (I'm upriver and the parents' BM>> nest is a few miles further upriver). NB>> So possibly decided that your area was a nice place to settle after NB>> all... :) BM> Apparently! Don't know if the one young eagle would eventually take BM> over his parents' nest - would think build his own and would be nice BM> if the new site was viewable. Guess just wait and find out! NB> Guess so... ;) Have to find a mate first, too.... True -- haven't read any comments on that. ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... 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