One big difference between living in Vermilion and living in Lorain is the threat of flooding.
I never thought too much about the Black River overflowing its banks while I lived in Lorain. After all, it's a long way down from the bridge deck to the river when you're driving over the W. 21st Street Bridge.
But in Vermilion (where I live now), the threat of the Vermilion River flooding is very real. It's an annual concern when the snow melts and the frozen river begins to thaw – making the evacuation of riverfront residents a strong possibility.
And that was the concern fifty years ago this month, as noted on the front page of the Lorain Journal of March 3, 1973 (below).
What's interesting is that the high level of Lake Erie was being blamed on our friendly neighbors to the north, the maple-syrup loving Canadians. As the article noted, "Congressman Charles Vanik, a Cleveland Democrat, said yesterday that he had been told by the State Department that if American property owners along Lake Erie have property damage because of the high lake levels they should file claims with the Canadian government.
"Vanik says he was told the high water was due to the Canadian government's closing of the Welland Canal, which links Lakes Erie and Ontario. The shipping canal is closed while a widening project is underway."
However, that viewpoint seems to be just one government official's opinion. The Journal article also pointed out, "Channel 5 Television in Cleveland produced a special at 9 last night and quoted lake authorities as saying that the Welland Canal closing would contribute, at the most, one inch to the level of Lake Erie. And this was expected to drop when the canal is reopening this spring."
(During one of my many trips to Canada during the 1990s, I took a short side trip to see the Welland Canal. It was worth stopping to see.)
Elsewhere on the Journal front page was the horrific murder of several American diplomats by Arab Terrorists, including Cleo A. Noel, the U. S. Ambassador to Sudan. His daughter was a student at Oberlin College at the time.
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Click here to visit my post about Vermilion flooding during the infamous July 4, 1969 storm.
Glad to see you back, Dan!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back,Dan.I didn't think you would be back so soon.But personally,I'd rather take a chance in Vermilion with the Vermilion River and its crystal clear spring type water instead of a flood of the Black River in Lorain with their garbage strewn,tire infested,coal black colored poison water.One dip in the Lorain water and it would be like being in East Palestine,Ohio.Whereas the Vermilion water would probably be clean enough to drink right from the river.
ReplyDeleteYeah...
ReplyDeleteIf I was *forced* to pick, I'd go with the Vermilion River since it *is* one of the cleanest rivers in Ohio (not sure how much of an accolade that is, considering).
But it's waters can be high in e. coli.
It might not dissolve your mouth parts and kill you outright, but you might wish it had. ;]
Yes.The Black River reminds me of a classic horror movie from the 1960s.Its called "The Flesh Eaters".And its story revolves around the water being full of bacteria organisms that prey on living flesh.One dip in the water and your finger is skinned off.Sounds wonderful.If anybody likes classic horror films ,check it out.
ReplyDeleteI have it on DVD.
DeleteThey should redo that movie and give it a new title....:The Black River Flesh Eaters.
ReplyDeleteI miss the old red Kishman Fish barn right on the river. They used to treat their nets down the road from my Mother's farm.
ReplyDelete