Hey, it’s me again! This time it’s important to look around and see what’s happening to our world.

I’m not talking about politics, weather or wars and rumors of wars. I’m reflecting on our geography.

Wells Creek, which runs from somewhere above Hamburg in Franklin County to Section 57 in southeastern Adams County on the Homochitto River, has responded to natural results of man-made changes.

Before the 1940s, the Homochitto flooded the entire bottomland, from hills on the right to the hills on the left on its entire length.

Sometimes this was two to three miles wide and it flooded quickly after a hard rain. Sometimes crops had to be replanted several times to get the crop in after the last devastating flood of the springtime.

Cattle were very vulnerable due to the fact that the lowest regions of the valley was nearest the hills.

The cattle would move to the higher ground on the banks of the river and, in desperation, would attempt to swim back to the hills when the river banks went under the torrent.

They drowned in entanglements of vines in swift current.

The river in those days was very narrow and crooked.

In an attempt to alleviate this curse, the Homochitto was straightened and guess what, it didn’t flood as before, but many corn and sugar cane fields quickly relocated to the Gulf of Mexico. Also, its bottom lowered as it widened and all the tributaries started “head cutting.”

Wells Creek took over 60 years to head cut enough to destroy the bridge near Garden City at Dixie Plantation.

In another 10 years it will threaten the bridge on Mississippi 33 near Knoxville and Liberty Road.

What is so sad is that Pipe’s Lake in southeastern Adams County is two feet below last year’s watermark.

I sincerely believe Levees Creek has been lowering its bottom, and head cutting is threatening the most and last pristine waterfowl and fish habitat we have to enjoy.

If you are interested in establishing a “Friends of Pipe’s Lake” to raise awareness and hopefully secure a rescue attempt to save the lake, please contact me at 601-446-5284, P.O. Box 118 Natchez 39121.

Also, please contact your U.S. Forest Service, Soil Conservator, Congressman, etc., to form the necessary resources on this rescue effort.

Thank you for listening and may you enjoy our wonderful outdoors as much as I have.

Erle Drane is an Adams County resident.