×

Rain, flooding, millions in damage (The Enterprise, May 3, 2011)

The Enterprise front page on May 3, 2011

Heavy rain, with more expected, raised havoc to public and private property in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake over that weekend 10 years ago. Tupper Lake officials extended the state of emergency, and erosion was slowly causing more damage to facilities in Saranac Lake.

The only piece of good news, making life brighter in Saranac Lake, was the Red Storm girls lacrosse team, starring Shannon Muldowney, beating Northwood School in sudden-death overtime 11-10.

The lead story was by former Enterprise ace reporter Chris Knight, now PR man for North Country Community College. He nailed the story in his opening paragraph:

“The preliminary cost estimate for damage to public infrastructure in the village caused by flooding of Lake Flower and the Saranac River over the past week is in the $5 million range.

“‘It’s significant,’ village Manager John Sweeney said this morning. …

The River Walk behind the Harrietstown Town Hall in the village of Saranac Lake sits submerged under water on Monday afternoon, May 2, 2011. (Enterprise photo —Chris Knight)

“Although he stressed these are just ‘rough estimates’ at this point, Sweeney said that about $2 million in damage was done at the village Wastewater Treatment Plant, part of which was overwhelmed by high water Friday, causing the plant to release partially treated sewage into the Saranac River.

“Damage to the Franklin County-owned Woodruff Street bridge could top $1.5 million, Sweeney said. Though the water never hit the bottom of the bridge, the flow of water was powerful enough to erode soil near the bridge’s abutments. …

“The same problem caused an estimated $1 million in damage to the peninsula behind the Water Department building, below the Lake Flower dam. When the village opened the floodgate on the dam that’s closest to the bridge, the water cut into and underneath the peninsula, opening up large sinkholes.

“‘It’s slowly fading; it’s falling apart,’ Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Kevin Pratt said Monday. ‘It’s very gradual, but it’s noticeable.’

“Sweeney said he believes the peninsula is ‘compromised,’ and he’s concerned about a water main that runs through the area, under the river and up to the village reservoir on View Street.”

Driftwood and brush that have washed into Demars Boulevard in Tupper Lake remain there Monday, May 2, 2011, as well as floodwater that prompted the closure of this section of state Route 3 from Pleasant Avenue to Cedar Street. Most businesses on Demars Boulevard remained open to the public. (Enterprise photo —Jessica Collier)

Flooding down in Tupper Lake

Enterprise reporter Jessica Collier covered the Tupper Lake story. Here are excerpts:

“Water levels went down in Tupper Lake Monday afternoon, but officials were concerned they may rise again with the rain.

Shannon Muldowney, in white, senior captain of the Saranac Lake girls lacrosse team, draws a crowd of Northwood School defenders — from left, Jess Brennan (7), Katie Madden (2), Erin Brand and goalie Casey Kilduff — during a game May 2, 2011, at Schroeter’s Field in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo —Lou Reuter)

“The National Weather Service predicted up to a half-inch of new rain today in Tupper Lake, 1 to 2 inches tonight and a possibility of snow on Wednesday night.

“‘If we get the 2 inches quick of rain, we don’t think it’s going to raise the flood level above where it was Sunday, said town Emergency Manager Carl Steffen. ‘It could go back to that level.’

“Town Supervisor Roger Amell and village Mayor Mickey Desmarais signed off on an extension to the state of emergency in Tupper Lake. It will remain in effect until Sunday when it will be re-evaluated.

“Village police Chief Tom Fee said state Department of Transportation workers were on Demars Boulevard this morning cleaning up debris to open a section of the road that had been closed for many days. He said they plan to open from Santa Clara Avenue to Cedar Street. Several businesses on Demars had closed for periods of time during the flooding.

“Water levels were beginning to recede along River Road, Water Street [appropriate names for the occasion] and Cedar Street. Raquette River Drive remains flooded but is accessible from state Route 30. A sewage pumping station that serves Raquette Drive and Byram Road remains under water and is still not operable. Portable toilets have been placed along each road for residents to use.”

Town and village officials had called in Brookfield Renewable Power, which controls the dam on Low’s Lake on the Bog River above Tupper Lake, to not open it until the water levels get lower.

There had been rumors Low’s Dam was gone. Officials said the company sent workers to clear the debris, mostly docks and fallen trees from Setting Pole Dam, and that helped with water flow.

Essex County flood damage

Although there was no specific Lake Placid village flood story, there was a long Essex County story by reporter Nathan Brown. Here are excerpts:

“Essex County suffered at least $2.25 million in damages to county owned infrastructure alone as a result of last week’s flooding.

“The county Board of Supervisors voted Monday to take up to $2.5 million out of the county’s $16.2 million fund balance to start repairs. [Every governing body can adopt guidelines from the state comptroller to create a fund balance using this vague restriction — “a reasonable amount.”] They hope this money will be replaced by state and federal disaster aid. If it isn’t, the county will have to take out a long-term bond to fund the repairs, said County Manager Dan Palmer. …

“Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited Moriah, the most affected town, on Friday and declared the county a state disaster area. …

“The millions of dollars in private property damage countywide is not counted toward the $2.5 million threshold. If there is a federal disaster declaration, homeowners and businesses affected could qualify for loans.”

How about that lacrosse victory!

This story and photos were by my pal Lou Reuter, who ought to be a photographer for National Geographic, but in the meantime, here are the opening paragraphs from a long story:

“Saranac Lake survived a scare and also rallied for a victory, nipping the Northwood School 11-10 in sudden-death overtime in a non-league girls lacrosse match Monday at Schroeter’s Field.

“The Red Storm scored four of the game’s final five goals in regulation to erase a three-goal deficit and tie the contest at 9-9 to force overtime. After the Huskies notched a goal in the first 3-minute extra session, Saranac Lake netted the final two markers of the game, including Shannon Muldowney’s game-winning score.

“Northwood led 4-2 at halftime and was led by freshman T.T. Cianfarano, who netted a game-high six goals. Muldowney, who scored both overtime goals for Saranac Lake, finished with five goals to pace her team.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today