A Good Water Month

We have had a very good start to our water year that began on October 1 and it has gone a long way in relieving the water deficit we have been experiencing over the last couple of years.

Here on the farm we officially measured 8.29 inches for the month of October. Depending widely on terrain from farm to farm, the distance from the ocean, and how the calculations are measured, the average October rainfall is about 3 inches. Closer to Portland it is classified as an average of 2.8 inches.

The long dry summers abrupt end (or what seemed abrupt to us) feels much better than the stifling heat and parched conditions that we suffered through.

The main herd is enjoying the fall weather by eating copious amounts of freshly growing grass as they meander around the pastures. Most of the leaves fell off the trees in last week’s wild storm system that brought quite a bit of wind along with the rain. The river is running at a good level with the water very dark colored from all the leaves, especially the alder leaves, that seep black into the water as they decompose and travel downstream.

With the water as high as it is, I’m sure the Coho salmon that are returning from the ocean are making their way upstream to spawn but it is only a guess because with the water so dark they cannot be seen even at the shallow crossings.

We are taking this good dose of October water with a relief and hope that it continues through the winter to restock the underground watersheds that nourish of forests all year long.