Tidal surge and flooding on Hale Marsh and Hale Duck Decoy
See gallery of photos below
5th Dec 2013 High tide today was due at 13:00 and was 9.9 metres (32.5 feet). Early this morning the wind was from the North-west and reaching gale force by 11:00. It was apparent that the tide would be exceptionally high, fetching back memories of the high tide in 1990 when the Decoy banks were breached by the tide.
At high water today the whole of Hale Marsh, together with the fields adjacent to the marsh, went under water. The main road was blocked and Carr Lane was under water by the bridge area. All traffic was stopped.
From the road it appeared that the water had reached the top of the Decoy bank but we are not sure if it went over. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see what damage, if any, has been done. At one stage there appeared to be two cows swimming back to the dry ground by the horse ketch - all were safe: some were found in the village.
6th Dec 2013 - A visit to Hale Duck Decoy this morning was very reassuring: although the tide had breached the Decoy again only minimal flooding and damage has been done. Some vegetation may be affected long-term by the salt water: we will just have to wait and see. A pump is now working to reduce the
flood water
7th Dec 2013 -Visitors to Hale Duck Decoy were astonished when one of the party found five three-spined sticklebacks alive just off the track across Hale Marsh. The path was still muddy and strewn with detritus from the flooding on Thursday but the ground beneath them was dry. They were quickly taken across to the Decoy moat and all five swam off. For once we hope they did not become prey to the kingfisher we had seen earlier!
Not quite so lucky was another fish - thought to be saithe - that was found dead nearer the road.
At high water today the whole of Hale Marsh, together with the fields adjacent to the marsh, went under water. The main road was blocked and Carr Lane was under water by the bridge area. All traffic was stopped.
From the road it appeared that the water had reached the top of the Decoy bank but we are not sure if it went over. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see what damage, if any, has been done. At one stage there appeared to be two cows swimming back to the dry ground by the horse ketch - all were safe: some were found in the village.
6th Dec 2013 - A visit to Hale Duck Decoy this morning was very reassuring: although the tide had breached the Decoy again only minimal flooding and damage has been done. Some vegetation may be affected long-term by the salt water: we will just have to wait and see. A pump is now working to reduce the
flood water
7th Dec 2013 -Visitors to Hale Duck Decoy were astonished when one of the party found five three-spined sticklebacks alive just off the track across Hale Marsh. The path was still muddy and strewn with detritus from the flooding on Thursday but the ground beneath them was dry. They were quickly taken across to the Decoy moat and all five swam off. For once we hope they did not become prey to the kingfisher we had seen earlier!
Not quite so lucky was another fish - thought to be saithe - that was found dead nearer the road.
Thanks to Bill Morton from Frodsham Bird Blog for the use of the fabulous photographs below of Hale Marsh at high tide. (Click photo to enlarge)
See: http://frodshammarshbirdblog.wordpress.com/ for further information.
See: http://frodshammarshbirdblog.wordpress.com/ for further information.
