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Heavy rains ease drought woes
By Grey Huddleston Staff Writer
Rabunites praying for rain to ease an ongoing drought got more than they bargained for over the weekend as a major deluge soaked the county.
"I don't think I can remember ever getting that much rain in three days," said Amy Speed, an administrative ranger at Black Rock Mountain State Park.
Measurements taken at the park indicate that more than 6 inches of rain fell between Saturday and Monday. Residents elsewhere in the county reported measurements of 7 inches and higher.
"Our campgrounds kind of got flooded out and lots of people left," Speed said. "The people staying in tents couldn't handle it."
The storms raised water levels in local lakes and creeks. They also eased the minds of local gardeners and farmers. "It was beneficial, we just didn't need it all at once," said Bob Mashburn, an avid gardener in Tiger.
He was in the process of setting up an irrigation system to combat the drought conditions before the downpour but said too much rain can damage plants as well by rotting their stems.
"Maybe we're out of the woods now," said Vaughn Billingsley, of Billingsley Nursery & Landscaping. He said much of the rain became runoff, and little actually soaked into the ground because of the previous dry weather.
"The runoff will help build up the creeks," Billingsley said. "That will help the fish and help the fishing."
Mashburn said Scott's Creek along Old Highway 441 was filled to capacity on Monday. "If it had rained for one more day, it would have overflowed its banks," he said.
Before the rains came and kept coming, Bob Massee, owner of Tiger Mountain Orchards, said drought conditions were affecting some of his fruit. "Small fruits like blueberries and blackberries are shallow rooted, so it's very detrimental to them," he said.
Tiger Mountain Orchards doesn't have an irrigation system set up because Rabun County typically gets plenty of rain, Massee said.
River operators had been feeling the effects of the drought as well. Jack Wise, CEO of Wildwater Ltd., said the company had cut 40 percent of its trips on the Chattooga River in response to the low water levels.
Wise said drops in the river levels every few years caused by drought conditions were expected.
"This year it was probably a little earlier than usual," he said. "It's usually in July and August."
While the heavy rains helped ease the minds of those whose businesses depend on water, ongoing drought conditions remain a fear.
"If it was to not rain for another two weeks, we'd really be hurting," Mashburn said.
"I don't think I can remember ever getting that much rain in three days," said Amy Speed, an administrative ranger at Black Rock Mountain State Park.
Measurements taken at the park indicate that more than 6 inches of rain fell between Saturday and Monday. Residents elsewhere in the county reported measurements of 7 inches and higher.
"Our campgrounds kind of got flooded out and lots of people left," Speed said. "The people staying in tents couldn't handle it."
The storms raised water levels in local lakes and creeks. They also eased the minds of local gardeners and farmers. "It was beneficial, we just didn't need it all at once," said Bob Mashburn, an avid gardener in Tiger.
He was in the process of setting up an irrigation system to combat the drought conditions before the downpour but said too much rain can damage plants as well by rotting their stems.
"Maybe we're out of the woods now," said Vaughn Billingsley, of Billingsley Nursery & Landscaping. He said much of the rain became runoff, and little actually soaked into the ground because of the previous dry weather.
"The runoff will help build up the creeks," Billingsley said. "That will help the fish and help the fishing."
Mashburn said Scott's Creek along Old Highway 441 was filled to capacity on Monday. "If it had rained for one more day, it would have overflowed its banks," he said.
Before the rains came and kept coming, Bob Massee, owner of Tiger Mountain Orchards, said drought conditions were affecting some of his fruit. "Small fruits like blueberries and blackberries are shallow rooted, so it's very detrimental to them," he said.
Tiger Mountain Orchards doesn't have an irrigation system set up because Rabun County typically gets plenty of rain, Massee said.
River operators had been feeling the effects of the drought as well. Jack Wise, CEO of Wildwater Ltd., said the company had cut 40 percent of its trips on the Chattooga River in response to the low water levels.
Wise said drops in the river levels every few years caused by drought conditions were expected.
"This year it was probably a little earlier than usual," he said. "It's usually in July and August."
While the heavy rains helped ease the minds of those whose businesses depend on water, ongoing drought conditions remain a fear.
"If it was to not rain for another two weeks, we'd really be hurting," Mashburn said.
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