Lake Life – When the Lake Takes Over The Yard
May 2, 2024 Also known to our family as the “Oh my!!! there is a duck swimming in our backyard” Flood
The above picture shows a mallard swimming between the dock and our fire pit. No S’mores today!!!
May 2, 2024
Today was going to be my day to design and do a tablescape for this week, and my husband had plans to ride his Harley trike, but by 8:30am we knew that none of those things were going to happen. We had quite a bit of rain leading up to today, and when we went to bed last night the lake level had risen, but the bulkhead was containing the water. We were awakened many times during the night with heavy rain, and and thunder. When Wayne got up there wasn’t yet any water standing in the yard, and there was no standing water on the dock either, but by 8:30 we were both running to the dock. It was time for flood prep and the water was rising fast. We later heard that our area, and north of our area had received around 11 inches of rain, and it was still raining.
The first thing to do when the water is rising in the yard is to raise the boat above its normal level on the boat lift, this takes two people as we have to push it out of its stall and into the lake (while we are holding on to ropes that hold the boat). Then Wayne can reach out and lower the wakeboard tower and Bimini top. This gives us less height so we can raise the boat much farther up in its stall. Then we tie the boat ropes to the post. this keeps our boat in its spot safely if the water would rise multiple feet. Otherwise when the water rises far above the dock the boat will float forward and when the water goes back down the boat can be stranded on land in the back yard. Many people during Tropical Storm “Harvey” had boats stranded on land. Other times the boat can float backwards out of the stall and go on a trip around the lake with no driver. This happened to a lot of people’s boats during the last storm. This puts both the boat, and the structures it encounters in danger.
The above picture shows the boat at its typical height when it is not in use. The picture below shows the boat at the height it is in flooding conditions – the wakeboard tower and Bimini top are both lowered and the boat is raised until it almost touches the boathouse roof.
After raising and covering the boat, we tie the front boat ropes to different boathouse posts – this helps it stay in its spot, should it end up floating in water 1-3 feet about the dock flooring.
The above picture shows an almost typical arrangement of our dock furniture. We often have the chairs tied with ropes to each other and to a post on both sides of the dock. Rain and wind come often and sometimes unexpectedly. We have had a heavy chair hydroplane off the dock in a previous storm. As the chair fell over in the waves, it became a real challenge to find it and get it back on the dock. Wayne and Alan once walked back and forth in the water hoping to run into the chair, before someone’s boat or jet ski ran into it. It was the funniest thing because their back and forth motion made it look like they were mowing the lake.
Although we often have the chairs tied, on the day of this storm we realized we had untied the chairs when eating breakfast at the dock, so our next order of business was to secure all chairs and tables to each other and to the posts.
The picture above shows the furniture after the storm – it is untied but not yet moved to its normal positions.
Our final job was to tie the jet skis to their lifts and to raise the lifts as high as they can go. We have never had the jet skis float off in a storm, but better safe than sorry.
By the time we finished all the little jobs, the water was at least 6″ over the dock and about a foot deep in the yard. It continued to rise until night time – see pictures below.
Our walkway boards came loose and our backyard started to look like a logging camp.
Hydrilla drifted in from other areas. Though many fisherman like this because the fish do – most boaters would rather not ride through it.
Eventually the water covered 2 steps of the stairs to our patio and entrance to the house. Fortunately it did not rise farther as the river authority released increasing amounts of water at the dam.
You, like me, may wonder why water was not released from the dam sooner and in greater amounts. All I can say is the River Authority tries to slow their release to not flood those downstream from us – which I understand. Unfortunately this sometimes involves houses in our area flooding (though not our house yet) as well as those downstream. It doesn’t appear to be an exact science. But in all fairness to the river authority a combination of things led to the water rising faster than it ever had during our time on the lake. So that added an extra challenge.
May 3, 2024 to May 5, 2024
Finally, the water began to recede, eventually leaving us with the damaged walkway and spa equipment but no damage to the house. By the next day the water was mainly gone, and it was time for the post flood tasks of clean up and walkway repair.
The lake was closed for a few days, due to debris. But is now almost back to normal. My husband has repaired the walkway, but we are currently looking into a different kind of walkway that can handle the occasional flooding.
May 7, 2024
By May 7th, the lake was open again, and we celebrated by taking the boat to “Steak on the Lake” a Tuesday event.
May 8, 2024
Tonight we celebrated again by taking the boat to a seafood restaurant.
It’s so good to be back on the water!!! and without having water in our house too!!
I hope you enjoyed this “Life on the Lake” post. In the interest of full disclosure, I felt I should share the challenges as well as the blessings of life on the lake.
I would love to hear your comments! The comment section is at the very bottom of this post – just after the Link Parties section.
Wishing you rain when needed, rainbows when possible and sunshine after rain!!!
Posts I Hope You Will Like
If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed looking at all the flooding pictures, you may enjoy the following posts from better weather days.
This first one is a past tablescape that I am sharing this week on link parties, because the flooding prevented my plan of making a new tablescape this week. I hope you enjoy this “blast from the past” . The posts below it are also from the past – some from the recent past, and some from a while ago, if you haven’t seen them before, I hope you enjoy them, and if you have seen them – I hope you enjoy this look back.
Link Parties
Following is a list of websites I really like! They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.
If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas. I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well! Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!!
You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for.
Sunday
Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly), Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda), Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea), Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie) host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party. I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party !
Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”. I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!
The House on Silverado hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!
Ridge Haven Homestead – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop. In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building.
April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!
Monday
Life Tales Books Blogspot hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!
Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.
Between Naps on the Porch hosts “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!!
The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!
Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!
Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations!
Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes.
Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life hosts the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects.
Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly) and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list.
Jenerally Informed hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods.
Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities.
Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas!
Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well.
My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.
Wednesday
Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”. I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects.
French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style” link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared.
Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!
Creatively Beth hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor.
Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop. I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building.
Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family!
Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!
Lydia at Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!
Thursdays
I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party!
Katherine’s corner hosts the “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop. I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here.
Southern Sunflowers hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday. I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party.
Penny’s Passion hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!
Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week. The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph!
Good Random Fun hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas.
Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links).
Friday
Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group.
Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts.
Cindy at County Road 407 hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc.
Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations.
Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions.
At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas!
Saturday
Pieced Pastimes Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party” which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!
Comments
I treasure your comments. I answer each one – usually within a day. Please feel free to comment about your experiences in flooding or life on the water (full time or the occasional vacation). Comment section is at the very bottom of this post.
Wishing You (and myself) the ability to adjust to the challenges of the day. Like our duck – I hope we all learn to float happily thru many of the lesser challenges.
About The Author
Joanne | 10th May 24
Wow that is a lot of water; luckily our lake has never flooded (yet!) because we don’t have a whole lot of heigh between the water and our walk out basement. But I do have to say our water is really high this year– we have had a lot of rain too but thankfully the dam for our lake has a really large spillway that seems to prevent flooding. Glad you were able to get everything tied down and secured in time.
Patty | 11th May 24
Joanne, I’m so glad your lake hasn’t flooded. Its cool that you have a walkout basement! I really miss basements. We had them in Ohio, but not here. Thanks so much for checking out my post and for taking the time to comment! Patty
Joyce | 10th May 24
Oh goodness. What a lot of work. We live on a lake too but have never dealt with this. I will have to look back through your blog and see where you are. I’m glad life has returned to normal! Have a nice weekend!
Patty | 11th May 24
Joyce, Thanks so much for checking out my flooding post. I’m so glad you, and your lake don’t have to deal with this! The trails in your area look wonderful, what a beautiful place to walk. Thanks so very much for taking the time to comment! – Patty
Lydia C. Lee | 10th May 24
That is some flood!! Hope the BBQ is okay – looks like you’ve got some work ahead of you! THanks for sharing with #allseasons – tho I’m feeling that may not be seasonal and just be our new All Seasons weather….!
Patty | 11th May 24
Lydia, Thanks so much for checking out my flooding post. The BBQ grill is ok, the spa equipment will likely need to be replaced. We are waiting for everything to dry a bit more before testing it! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Btw, just wanted you to know, due to the time difference, when I post to your link party, I often can’t post to another “party” goer right away because I’m one of the first and many do not have an English option. This time I commented on a post that had an English translation option which was really cool! Thanks again for hosting your “all seasons” party. – Patty
Judy | 12th May 24
Unbelievable, and to think just recently you made the cutest tablescape on your dock and now what an adventure. I do love the lake where we boat but I sure feel the pain for you on your lake. Glad it is all recovered and back in place.
Patty | 12th May 24
Judy, Thanks so much for checking out my flooding post! and thanks so much for remembering that I just recently did a tablescape there – it made my day that you remembered that. It seems shocking to us too that we went from eating on the dock, to wading thru lot of water there, in such a short time. Hope you had a great day today, and thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it! – Patty
Jennifer Wise | 13th May 24
Wow, these are just amazing pictures! Yes, hoping for sunshine after rain, for sure! It was nice to see the pictures of the waters receding. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #37 linkup. We hope to see you sharing more posts next week at #38.
Patty | 14th May 24
Jennifer, Thanks so much for your special comment about my flooding post, and thank you for your kind hope for our “sunshine after rain” we can definitely use that. Thanks so much for hosting your great link party on your super website “lifetalesbooks.blogspot Have a wonderful day! – Patty
Marilyn | 14th May 24
Wow, that is sure an ordeal to go through when the lake floods, but its wonderful that you have thought of everything so as to have minimal damage and repairs. Amazing! Glad you were able to get back out on the lake quite quickly too!
Patty | 15th May 24
Marilyn, Thank you so much for checking out my flooding post. It was a challenging time but we are learning more and more about him best to prepare. We were very glad to be able to get out on the lake soon after the flooding. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate you! – Patty
Lisa | 15th May 24
That is crazy!! I’m so glad you were all safe and that there wasn’t more damage!
Patty | 15th May 24
Lisa, Thanks so much for checking out our flooding post. I appreciate so much that you share in our thankfulness that there wasn’t near as much damage as there could have been. It’s nice to know that friends online are thinking of us, during such times – Thank You! Patty
Steph@Crazylittlelovebirds | 19th May 24
Hey Patty, I’m so glad you and your family are safe. That flooding looks really bad. I hope your house didn’t get too damaged. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds Link Party #38.
Patty | 19th May 24
Steph, Thanks so much for your comment, and for your good wishes regarding our recent flooding. We were very fortunate that our home ended up with no water, and so the damage was all in the yard, which was a huge blessing. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and to host your link party each week! – Patty
Julie | 20th May 24
I love hearing about the good, bad, and drenched! If I had my dream, it would be to live on a lake (I visited Paula from Virginia Sweet Pea several years ago, and she got me hooked)! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About, and for the lovely shout out above. I’m delighted to be featuring your post at the party this week!
Patty | 20th May 24
Julie, Thanks so much for checking out my “when the lake takes over the yard” post. Thanks also for featuring my post at your party this week. It is an honor to be featured on your website. I enjoyed your 17 reasons for living in a stationary travel trailer this week, and I look forward to following you on your adventure. So glad that you found such a safe place for your new home! Thanks too for hosting your link party – Tuesday Turnabout – each week. I enjoy sharing on it, and also gathering ideas from you and others who contribute. Wishing you many fun adventures, and times with friends in your new home!- Patty
jeanie | 20th May 24
Yikes! When our lake is high, there is still plenty of beach! That looks like a mess of clean-up. I hope that’s the last you see of high water for a long while (like forever!)
Patty | 20th May 24
Jeanie, Thanks so much for checking out my “When the lake takes over the yard” post. Your kind wishes for no more flooding for us are greatly appreciated!! Thanks again! – Patty
Jenna | 21st May 24
Oh Patty, I am so sorry and boy can I relate! We have a house on the Gulf Coast in Orange Beach AL and have been through many hurricanes. Hurricane Sally in 2020 took out our pier and boats and now, 4 years later we are finally back to normal. Fingers crossed we won’t have to deal with another hurricane for a while! I’m glad you only had minor damage, I’m sure clean up wasn’t fun. I hope that is your last challenge for a long time, and Happy Summer!
Patty | 21st May 24
Jenna, Thanks so much for checking out my “When the lake takes over the yard” post. I’m so sorry that you have experienced a much much worse storm at your house in Orange Beach. I’m so glad things are back to normal now. My husband and I just visited that area for the first time this past November, we had been in Birmingham for a wedding and stopped there instead of heading directly back to Texas. It is an absolutely gorgeous area, with some of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. I’m hoping your home there has no more hurricane damage in the future. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Have a great summer!! Patty