The Adventure of the Opanuku Steam, part two.

This is the continuation of the story of the heavy rains of Monday night and what apparently happened to our placid Opanuku for a few hours. 

On Friday morning, I took a walk up along the Opanuku Stream, as it passes through Henderson Park, about 1 kilometer upstream from the the bridge, mill and boardwalk that I showed you last time. I learned a lot. After seeing what I am about to show you, I am surprised that the whole boardwalk hadn't washed away.  

Let's go...

I'm heading down to the Stream.

That's a storm water run-off pond above the stream. All is serene once again.  

I'm on the path that follows the Stream through the park. I'd guess I'm six to eight feet above the stream right now.  That is a pile of debris that was just deposited. I can see evidence all along here of plants being pushed over by the force of the water.  

I'm closer to the level of the stream here, maybe only four or five feet above it, but look. There is debris in the branches over my head.  

This is the first pedestrian bridge. Look at how much junk is piled up against it, within a couple of inches of the top rail.  Unbelievable.  

As I was taking this picture, a guy passed me. I was shaking my head at the time and told h

couldn't believe how high the water was. This is nothing he told me. 

"Do you know where the Pony Club is," he asked. 

"It's along Henderson Valley Road," I said. 

"Well, you should see it there," he said, "A car got washed into the Stream."  

 Here's a view of where the water level is now. 

I am now approaching the 2nd bridge from the downstream side.

There is also an uprooted tree behind the slats.

I'm taking this picture from midway across the bridge. There is a large tree leaning out from the far side of the stream.  It's branches are filled with debris. In the right foreground is the top railing of the bridge.  

After seeing this, I looked up how much rain we received Monday night. I found that we got 7.91 inches of rain in 14 hours. In the 24 hour period surrounding that 14, we got 149% of the rain we normally receive during the month of August. Well, no wonder then.  

I'm heading home through the park. Our village is beyond that tall building and to its right.  

What a day, huh?

Almost home. I heard that the penthouse suite in that apartment building was just sold for $3.2 million. Don't know if that's true or not.  I wouldn't doubt it though.     -djf

The Opanuku Stream originates in the Waitakere Range. It probably isn't more than 10-12 miles long as the Tui flies. Longer of course than that with all the curving around it does. Still, I mention that because its relatively short length means that it will rise and fall very quickly in response to heavy rains. 

We certainly saw that Monday night. If we get another heavy rain day, I just might put on my rain gear and investigate the river at the bridge, even if I have to go out at night to do it.  I have a setting on my camera called Light, which seems to boost whatever ambient light is present. That might come in handy.  Keep watching, you'll see what I see.                     -djf