For those who frequently walk Pope Farm Conservancy, you will no doubt remember the CCC spillway. This structure was built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp to prevent the hillside from eroding away, and in turn, saving the farm fields above it. It is quite unusual for people to see this spillway in action because it can sit dormant for 20 years at a time, but when it is working, it is a sight worth seeing.
There are several key conditions that are usually present for large amounts of water to reach the spillway. First, the ground is frozen – we certainly have that present this year! Second, there is usually a large amount of snow on the north facing fields above the spillway – we have that condition, as well. Finally, we need a burst of warm temperatures. When that happens, usually in the late afternoon, the hills literally begin to flow. Another condition to cause this type of flow is a heavy rain while the ground is still frozen.
In the next six to eight weeks, we will know if the spillway will flow this year. If you are interested in watching the “hills flow”, it is quite easy to know when this is occurring during a warm up or heavy rain. Simply drive down Blackhawk Road and observe the ravine in the Conservancy. If water is flowing down the ravine and into the culvert under Blackhawk Road, the Spillway is operating and the hills are “flowing”. Park your car at the Blackhawk entrance and walk up the hill to see “nature on the move”.