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photo by Marcus Frazier
With floodwater backing up plumbing on Silver Street, the Under-the-Hill Saloon has been forced to incorporate a port-a-potty in its daily operations.
River affects Silver Street establishments
Published Sunday, April 20, 2008
NATCHEZ — Expected to stand at 56.9 feet today, if all goes as predicted the Mississippi River will stop rising Monday.
The river is predicted to crest at 57 feet Monday morning, and is expected to start falling incrementally Thursday.
“After two to four days, (the river) will probably start inching out by a tenth or so,” National Weather Service Hydrologist Marty Pope said. “It will probably take a good two or three weeks for the water to fall below flood stage, depending on how much rain we get.”
However, NWS weather models for this week predict rains upriver, which could prolong the crest, Pope said.
The high water has already led to business closures of the Isle of Capri Casino and Magnolia Grill on Silver Street at Natchez-Under-the-Hill.
Only Under-the-Hill Saloon remains open after the high water began a stealth attack through the plumbing of the Silver Street businesses.
“The river seems to be backing into the sewer lines, so we’re not using any bathrooms,” Under-the-Hill Saloon bartender Mick Synder said. “We’re using portable toilets right now.”
But even though the high water has many citizens worried and has caused some businesses to have to close their doors, one local enterprise is doing quite well.
The Sydney A. Murray Hydroelectric plant is generating electricity at almost full capacity, General Manager David Harris said.
“We are operating at almost total rate of production,” Harris said. “Total production is 192 megawatts, and we’re operating in the 180s right now.”
The river currently stands at its second highest recorded height for the Natchez-Vidalia pass.
The highest recorded high-water event for the Natchez-Vidalia pass was in 1938, when the floodwaters reached 58.04 feet.
Comments
Posted by JDR (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
58.04 is the record we're close.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't someone live in that Mark Twain townhouse? I had heard someone lives there now full time and wonder what they are using for a 24/7 bathroom?
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey sayitloud...three rooms in the Mark Twain Guesthouse are for overnight guests, with a suite in the back for folk who want to stay a good while longer. It's really neat up there. The front room has a balcony; it's the best view of the river in Natchez...hands down.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Morning kpage!! How ya doing? Yeah you are so right the views are unbelievable from there! Now don't the Biglane's live over that gift shop? Wonder if they have bathrooms working?
Posted by olderthandirt (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate the businesses have had to close under the hill, but they need to be safe.
On another note, who is responsible for maintaining the police barricades?I certainly hope those under the hill...and almost under water, don't sail down to New Orleans and the Gulf.As the river rose, they should have been removed to safe ground.Who was responsible?
Posted by luzichick (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This problem also indicates that there's a leak somewhere in the wastewater system down there. There has to be an opening in it for water to get in and back the system up. Conversely, when the water is low, wastewater can get out of that same opening into the surrounding earth and water table. When all this is over, they should have that system checked.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just watched the weather news for the area and it seems the only dry day we will have this coming week is Tuesday. That don't look very good, but it won't be the first time the report is wrong if we don't get the rain.
Posted by signman88 (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
olderthandirt
if the barricades float anywhere, it will be an act of god. they are made out of metal
Posted by signman88 (anonymous) on April 20, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
luzichick
its just coming in through the sewer manholes
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are they charging to fish off the porch of the saloon right now? That could be cool....sitting in a rocking chair, casting out a line....sipping good brew....It just might work.
Posted by iamnobody (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
all the joking aside,,has anyone wondered about the safety of the bluff behind thoses shops,,even though the river technicaly has not lapped the dirt there,,the water seappage (SP??..i know i can't spell) can and probably will create damage by saturating the soil there,,too,,,and i remember the mud side that had happened to the under the hill saloon,,,,
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While your concern is not to be taken lightly, The Loess Bluff at Under the Hill has been stabilized since the 1981 bluff collapse. I remeber coming home from work that afternoon from the old Big Star in Vidalia and looking down from the old river brigde and seein all the lights flashing from different police and emergency vehicles because it had only been an hour since it had happened. It was awful...
But now, I feel safer about the bluff since the stabilization project and since the face of it has changed dramatically because of casino development.
But I still would be careful and keep an eye open at all times down there.
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