NE Branch trail flooding

[Greenbelt]

The river gage on the NE Branch in Hyattsville just went higher than it has been all summer, including the stationary storm that caused flooding last month, and the hurricane Irene peak a couple weeks ago.

We’ll see where it peaks this afternoon, but those lower sections near Alt Route 1 will likely be closed. Detour up Alt Route 1 to Decatur Street I suppose. Not sure if the NW branch is also flooded between 38th and Route 1.

Topic

[Greenbelt]

For PG commuters, I can report that the NW Branch trail between 38th street and Route 1 is fine at the current river levels, which this afternoon and evening were about 3.0-3.5 feet on the river gage. It looks like the NW branch in that section never went over its banks and didn’t flood the trail, even though the gage got as high as 4.5 feet early this morning it looks like. The trail is closed with caution tape, but the river wasn’t on or near it, so not a problem to go around the barrier.

The NE Branch from Alt Route 1 to Decatur Street is a different issue. This afternoon when the gage read between 5.0 and 5.5, there was still at least 18 inches of water on the trail under the railroad bridge for about a 30 or 40 foot stretch. Quite a bit of mud and sand under the Alt Route 1 bridge from when the water had been even higher, but no river overflow on that stretch. The trail was taped off, and probably not a great idea to go under the tape at those levels, although certainly passable. Lowest gears only — 18 inches of water produces a fair amount of drag. Not that I tried it, of course.

[KLizotte]

Good heavens, are you still riding in this monsoon?!

Just curious what people wear in this kind of weather – your regular cycling clothes or fancy schmantzy rain gear? The humidity certainly puts a kink in everything.,

[Jsnyd]

I’ve commuted for most of it. Luckily I get to stay away from Alexandria. Today I drove in though. I just got tired of being cold and wet. I wear normal cycling gear with arm warmers. I Am on the hunt for a good jacket though. Maybe just a gore or pearl Izumi rain coat.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.845309,-76.949901

[Tim Kelley]

@KLizotte 7905 wrote:

Good heavens, are you still riding in this monsoon?!

Just curious what people wear in this kind of weather – your regular cycling clothes or fancy schmantzy rain gear? The humidity certainly puts a kink in everything.,

Flip-flops and board shorts! I’m embracing my inner surfer and enjoying getting soaked!

[KLizotte]

Hadn’t thought about wearing a bathing suit. Makes a heck of a lot of sense though!

[eminva]

I was thinking on the commute home last night that I would have been better off in my swimsuit and Chaco sandals. As it was I had on my Cabelas cheap rain jacket and pants. They were totally ineffective after about 30 seconds and just weighing me down. I do have fancy rain gear in technical fabrics, but I find the Goretex stiflingly hot unless the temperature is quite cold.

If anyone can suggest an effective warm weather rain jacket, I’d be very grateful.

Liz

[Joe Chapline]

@KLizotte 7905 wrote:

Good heavens, are you still riding in this monsoon?!

Just curious what people wear in this kind of weather – your regular cycling clothes or fancy schmantzy rain gear? The humidity certainly puts a kink in everything.,

I don’t wear cycling clothes for my short commute. It’s a raincoat and rain pants over business casual. The rain suit is not Gore-Tex or anything fancy, so it’s too warm when the weather is this warm and humid. But my work clothes stay mostly dry. I’ve never had expensive rain gear, so I don’t know how much better that would be. It’s supposed to be breathable. I find that on days I need the raincoat, I usually need the pants, too. My shoes are pretty waterproof, but I have at times put on those Totes rubber boots over my shoes if I think there will be standing water or slush.

The rainsuit rolls up pretty small, but I carry an extra bag so I don’t have to put the wet rainsuit back in my my commuter pannier, with my papers and electronics.

[Greenbelt]

Just a regular jersey and shorts. It’s gonna get soaked through regardless this time of year, from the outside in or the inside out. Then just bring a fresh jersey and another pair of shorts for the ride home in a plastic grocery bag. Get to work, put the clean stuff in a locker for changing in to after work, put the soaked stuff in the plastic bag and tie it off (to protect locker room users from undue funk) to be thrown in the backpack later.

[JeffC]

Anybody that rode a substantial distance yesterday afternoon in Fairfax or Arlington Counties deserves a medal of honor, conditions were crazy. I spent the better part of the night bailing water that was enough of a workout.

[bikenurse]

@Greenbelt 7902 wrote:

For PG commuters, I can report that the NW Branch trail between 38th street and Route 1 is fine at the current river levels, which this afternoon and evening were about 3.0-3.5 feet on the river gage. It looks like the NW branch in that section never went over its banks and didn’t flood the trail, even though the gage got as high as 4.5 feet early this morning it looks like. The trail is closed with caution tape, but the river wasn’t on or near it, so not a problem to go around the barrier.

The NE Branch from Alt Route 1 to Decatur Street is a different issue. This afternoon when the gage read between 5.0 and 5.5, there was still at least 18 inches of water on the trail under the railroad bridge for about a 30 or 40 foot stretch. Quite a bit of mud and sand under the Alt Route 1 bridge from when the water had been even higher, but no river overflow on that stretch. The trail was taped off, and probably not a great idea to go under the tape at those levels, although certainly passable. Lowest gears only — 18 inches of water produces a fair amount of drag. Not that I tried it, of course.

Glad you didn’t get swept away in the flash flooding….

[Author]

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