It happens like clockwork.
It rains. The tide is high. Canal Road floods.
It’s not unusual. It’s life on Saugatuck Shores.
But just imagine if this were a full — not a new — moon.
It happens like clockwork.
It rains. The tide is high. Canal Road floods.
It’s not unusual. It’s life on Saugatuck Shores.
But just imagine if this were a full — not a new — moon.
You don’t get more “Westport” than last week’s Photo Challenge.
Michael Tomashefsky’s image showed rocks, a jetty and water. It’s a scene we see all over town — from Frost Point on Beachside Avenue and nearby Burying Hill Beach, to Sherwood Island, Schlaet’s Point and Compo.
Those were some of the guesses. Others ranged further afield: Cockenoe, and Canfield/Sprite Island. John McCarthy was somewhat correct, but not quite precise enough, when he suggested “somewhere near the water.”
The first winner was Diane Silfen. She knew that this photo was taken at the end of Canal Road, off Saugatuck Shores. That’s a part of Westport that many residents may not be familiar with.
But — like so many other spots in town — it offers stunning, and ever-changing, water views. (Click here for the photo, and all the guesses.)
Caitlin Engle checked in later, calling it one of Westport’s “hidden gems.”
There’s a bit of water in this week’s Photo Challenge too. If you know where in Westport you’d find this, click “Comments” below.
The new bridge to Saugatuck Island has gotten lots of press (and praise).
But area residents are less pleased about another project on Saugatuck Shores.
Gene Borio reports on a culvert replacement project that has closed off Canal Road since earlier this month.
“Somehow,” he says, “the construction company missed out on the idea that if they completely close off ingress and egress of seawater to the pond for 2 months of estimated work, the pond might stagnate and start dying.”
When 3 eels floated to the surface, neighbors called the town. An emergency culvert was quickly installed.
But, Gene says, “the eels were so bad, even a gull wouldn’t eat them.”
He adds, “It’s definitely affecting life around here. Even on weekends, people think they can’t cross to get to the beach.”
They can, he says — if they don’t mind mud and obstructions.
Still, drivers constantly see a sign saying the bridge is closed, and turn around.
Saugatuck Shores resident Jeff Manchester is also concerned. Hundreds — perhaps thousands — of cars, oil trucks, boats and trailers and school buses have backed down Canal Road, he says.
They’re following confusing signs that should instead divert Canal Road traffic over the bridge on Harbor Road.
He recommends a simple solution: replace the “Bridge Closed” sign with the one used when the bridge was being renovated.
Otherwise, he warns, “we’ll see a vehicle in the canal.”
Posted in Environment, Transportation
Tagged Canal Road, Harbor Road, Saugatuck Island, Saugatuck Shores
More dramatic photos from today’s storm:
Meanwhile, firefighters raced to Saugatuck Shores. They trudged through cold water, in high winds, to fight a smoky blaze on Canal Road.
Local builder Oliver Wilson rescued a dog from the house, before the fire department arrived. There was no one else inside.
It sure doesn’t feel like May 25.
Alert “06880” reader Matt Murray captured these shots at soggy Compo Beach a short while ago:
Canal Road is closed due to flooding. Police warn of potential flooding elsewhere in town.
Meanwhile, Cross Highway and Prospect Road were closed due to downed trees and wires.
More rain is forecast for tomorrow — but temperatures will rise to about 71.
The weekend — and Memorial Day — could be cloudy, with temperatures hovering around 70.
That’s okay. After last year’s rainout, we’re ready for a parade.
Weather or not.
(Photo/Ed Simek)