The river's low and here is why

Folks along our portion of the Susquehanna (Lake Clarke) may have noticed an extremely low water level today. Brookfield Renewable, operator of the Safe Harbor Dam, is responsible for the drawdown.

The painted scale (shown above) on one of the piers of the Veterans Memorial Bridge read about 223 feet at 4:42 this afternoon. (In previous years, 227 on the scale was marked as "normal.")

A sign posted near the River Park boat ramp stated that water levels at Lake Clarke will be lowered from October 23 through October 25 and will begin to rise again on October 26.

The following is an excerpt from a post on the Brookfield Renewable website:

Be aware that diving into the waters of Lake Clarke is dangerous due to fluctuating lake levels, shallow waters, river currents, and submerged debris. Please note that on October 24th & 25th, there will be a drawdown on Lake Clarke to approximately 222.0 feet. Water will start coming back up on October 26th.

No reason is specified for the drawdown.

 Children play on an outcropping of the shoreline today caused by the recent drawdown.

Unfortunately, the low water level revealed another dead eel - this one in one piece.

Here's a temporary peninsula uncovered by the drawdown.

There was a wider shoreline this afternoon, as seen here under the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Here's another view of the shoreline, with Columbia River Park in the background.

Bits 'n' Pieces About Town

A few more pics about town (and slightly beyond) - Sunday and Monday...

 The mural as of Monday afternoon

A wider view

 No work was being done at the pipeline construction site Sunday morning. The project has made some folks joyous, even those without a financial stake in the enterprise.

 Stenciling on Locust Street for the Semper Fi 5K Run November 11

 An abandoned bike on the first block of N. 2nd Sunday morning

 Still there as of Monday afternoon.

Nothing like several days of unattended trash to attract vermin and create an attractive nuisance.

Definitely a public health and safety issue.

 Lookin' good, lookin' gold

 Diggin' it under Columbia Crossing

 Harbinger of Halloween

Columbia Library to host Crime Watch meetings, starting November 6

The Columbia Public Library is happy to be hosting the Columbia PA Crime Watch group for the cold weather months. The next meeting is Monday, November 6, from 6 to 6:30 PM – in our Conference Room upstairs.

Preschool Pals at the library Monday morning

Columbia Market House to be busy with upcoming activities

Ernie StrongBear

The Columbia Historic Market House is busy this week with activities. The market will be open Thursday, October 26, 4 - 8 p.m. Visitors can get a tour of the dungeon or walk around the market to peruse standholders' wares and check out what guest vendors are selling.

If you haven’t already reserved your seat for the “Paint a Gourd” Party, time is of the essence. The “Paint a Gourd” Party is on Friday, October 27, 5 - 8p.m. The cost is $35, and instruction is provided by Ruth Hope Ramos. Message the market house on Facebook to reserve your seat and enjoy some fun and frivolity.

The Columbia Historic Market House, noting Native American Month in November, wanted to get a jump on this and have a day of appreciation on Saturday, October 28. Ernie StrongBear from the Cherokee Native American Tribe. Ernie StrongBear will perform Native American Dance, wearing full regalia representing his culture. Performance begins at 11 a.m.

Beginning Thursday, November 2, Columbia Historic Market House will be open on Thursdays 10 a.m to 1 p.m. with selected stand holders until December 21.

What's up with all the trash down on Walnut?

Sunday morning on the 200 block of Walnut - a mountain of trash, including a mattress, a box spring, and a sofa...

...rendering the sidewalk nearly impassable.

Further up the block - a mattress that's been moldering for a month.

And further down, what looks to be part of a car fender.

And just behind Walnut, over in Avenue H - an over-stuffed dumpster with a sofa on top.

The rule is: Don't put your trash out before 6 p.m. the night before pickup. Looks like a few "quick tickets" are in order.

Columbia School District Curriculum Director sparks interest in augmented reality at Laurel Highlands

Laurel Highlands federal programs director Eric Gaydos was introduced to the technology earlier this year at the annual Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators Conference when a curriculum director from Columbia Borough School District in Lancaster County demonstrated its abilities and how his district has implemented it into everyday learning.

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