Flood of 2004: Imerman Park
All images below taken 4/4/04, 3 weeks after flood receded. Over
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A walk through the park
Note: Back section of park is currently closed. This
walk was taken for documentation purposes as a public service because the Saginaw County
Health Department thinks Poison Ivy is a greater health threat than dioxin. Do NOT
do this without proper footgear, stay on the road, and do not take young children or pets.
I am using the word sand or sandy for lack of a better term and assume the MDEQ
will eventually test and classify the soil deposited by the flood.
In the back section of the park, significant amounts of sandy soil are layered over the
grass. In some cases, small dunes have formed. Areas used for sport's and
family gatherings such as the ball field and river pavilion have not been spared.
Unfortunately, people will be kicking this new contaminated soil around for years to
come. To interpret images below, consider that most of the open spaces are usually
covered with grass. Visible sand deposits are not normal for these
areas. The river banks can be sandy in places, however they seldom, if every
have accumulations of sand as seen in these photo's. Sand deposits in the wooded
areas are also new. In the areas toward the front of the park, farthest from the
river, the sand deposits are less developed, but still present. Can you imagine how
Dow's proposed "capping" will solve this problem? Are they willing to do
it every year and/or after every flood? How long will wood chips last on the
trails? The day these photo's were taken, people walked their dogs through all the
areas shown, including the river bank trails, back activity fields, and woods.
Evidently the current warning signs are not enough. Even worse, the soil
on the dogs feet will be tracked all over the owners car and possibly their home. In
my opinion, the back section of the park should remain closed until further notice.
Gary Henry, TRW.
Road leading to back section of park by Tittabawassee River. All
that you see here was under 3-5 feet of water dung the flood.
Does "flood damage" include Dow's dioxin? From what I saw
today park should remain closed indefinetly.
Back area river pavilion. Most of the area above buried under sand
deposits left by flood of the Tittabawassee River.
Back area ball diamond. This picture should be all green, sand deposited
by flood. No dioxin warning signs!
Lots of new sand. Think any kids might try playing in it? See any
warning signs?
Back river pavilion grill awash in sea of flood deposits.
New sand deposits in grass. See any Dioxin warning signs?
Back pavilion behind outhouses, not as much sand, however notice mud on cement.
Not sure what this is all about. Located south side of boat launch.
River banks north of boat launch, sand is new. Notice warning sign to stay
off banks
River trail entrance north side of boat launch.
Boat launch area. Think any boaters will be taking the dirt home
with them?
The new sand deposits are everywhere in back area activities field
The new sand deposits are everywhere in back area activities field
Road winds back through woods to front area and main park entrance
River bank by back area activities field
River bank by back area activities field. Notice erosion abound poles, are
they from the flood?
River bank by back area activity field. Looks like this sign was under
water.
Back area activity field meets the river bank. Looks like sand dunes are
forming with river sediment.
Woods photo between front & back areas of park. White sand is new. Dark,Grey
soil & leaf litter usually in these areas.
Woods photo. White sand is new. Dark,grey soil & leaf litter usually in
these areas.
Woods photo. White sand is new. Dark,grey soil & leaf litter usually in
these areas.
Road damage by flood? Back area river pavilion parking lot entrance.
River pavilion parking lot. Lots of new sand.
Area surrounding river pavilion. Lots of new sand deposits.
Area surrounding river pavilion. Lots of new sand deposits.
Area surrounding river pavilion. Lots of new sand deposits to walk in.
Area surrounding river pavilion. Lots of new sand deposits, this shot is
usually mostly green with grass.
Trail head leading from river pavilion to front area of park. Lots of new
sand.
Area surrounding river pavilion. Lots of new sand deposits, notice grill
on left.
Woods. All that white sand left from flood
Side of road in woods leading to front area. Not as much flood deposits, but
it's still there.
Dog took some home.
Trail entrance off front area main parking lot. Trail runs through area's
of woods shots in previous photos.
This structure had 3-5 feet of flood water in it.
Not a lot of noticeable flood deposits by front pavilion, though still present.
Tittabawassee River Watch www.trwnews.net