Heads Up, Folks Downstream!
The deluge has ended. The aquifer is hyper-saturated. Here it comes, from a little basin at the upper end of a Farmington River tributary:
Most of the rocks that make the Farmington River an interesting whitewater run, are already submerged, covered by a smooth surface.
This water will raise the level even further.
My gun club, located downstream in the flood plain, will require a massive cleanup effort, and a new refrigerator, after the water subsides. To reduce the risk from ricochets, no shooting will be allowed on the outdoor range, until the standing water subsides.
When the water is this high, flowing among the trees, it creates river-wide hazards to paddlers, by toppling trees across the water, by transporting floating debris (trees, pallets, firewood, oil drums, etc) to pinch points, by eliminating the head-room under the bridges.
Attempting to paddle around a submerged bridge, like this one is, would entangle the boater in barbed wire cattle fencing.
Creek-paddling safety requires a thorough scouting of the run, and waiting for the levels to begin falling. The bigger rivers, though can be a hoot, in a fast down river boat; sort of like walking fast on the people-mover sidewalks at an airport. Just stay clear of the trees, and the taller boulders and ledges, that can become boat eaters.