Water, water everywhere

By Monday morning, someone should have erected a sign at K. P. Kompelien Field saying, “No game today!”

However, just across the street from the field is a sign saying, “Park Closed Today!”

The only reply is, “Oh really!?” So why is all this water a big surprise? Tons and tons of snow had to go somewhere when it melted.

“There is still too much snow on the baseball field,” said Activities Director Matt Myrvik.

So it’s not done melting, and by Monday morning the road and gate to the baseball field was under water. Roads, fields and ditches in many areas were overflowing.

“Farmers are already biting at the bit to get into the field to plant their crops. It’s getting late. It will take a while to dry up the fields so it may be into May before planting can begin,” said one area farmer.

Water has crossed roads and are forcing some to be closed after the overflow from area fields.

Farmers have reported water has flown “over” some of their driveways and many say the water has filled fields near their homes.

Tiles in many area fields are still frozen and some are over-flowing because of the high amount of snow.

When the tiles thaw out and kick in, the fields will have a better chance of draining. Not all farms have tiling, but most do.

Until they are able to kick it, they won’t be able to help alleviate the flooding in the fields.

There also has been a great deal of water in basements.

Many people have sump pumps.

Some are working well, others have kicked in lately and some have failed. So the threat of water in the basement is a real one.

The water at the K. P. Kompelien Field has caused the Yellow Medicine River to not only overflow, but flow rather fast.

It could be a dangerous situation. On Tuesday, water was nearly up to the top of the railings into the park and completely covered the bridge.

The baseball field will not be available until the water recedes and the snow is completely removed from the field.