Everything green and lush and the banks are thick with grass and flowers
In mid-September the Environment Agency cuts back the vegetation on the banks. And in the distance, centre and right, cows are grazing in the still green washes.
The late summer has been warm and dry. The grasses are growing back on the banks and the Washes are still green.
The previous weekend saw the arrival of Storm Alex, the first storm of winter leading to the first floods of the winter
No further storms and the Washes are beginning to drain.
Although the initial floods have partially drained away, the swans are beginning to arrive
At the beginning of November the Environment Agency lowers the level that triggers the Earith sluice gates by 60cm. So nearly 2 feet of the River Ouse is being dumped into the Old Bedford, and hence the Washes
After little rain for a couple of weeks the Washes are draining slowly. But they will probably remain flooded until March
After a lot of rain before and just after Christmas the Old Bedford is at it’s highest level since recent measurements began and the Washes are at full flood. The New Bedford is overtopping the Cradge Bank in places too.
Though the rain has stopped, the Washes are still at a very high level
A very windy day has whipped the Washes into noticeable waves. The level is still very high.
A very calm day. The level in both rivers is dropping slightly. The previous high water mark can be seen on the bank.
2nd February
The New Bedford is still flooding and overtopping the Cradge Bank and the Washes are as high as ever.
The difference a week makes. The level of the New Bedford has subsided and the Washes have dropped at least 3 feet. The ground that was under water can clearly be seen.
The levels are continuing to fall, in the rivers and the Washes. The high water mark can clearly be seen on both the near and the far bank.
After almost 6 months since storm Alex brought the first floods the land is stating to appear again
Spring can never be taken for granted on the Washes. After a dry April there has been quite a bit of rain in May and the Ouse is running high enough to open the sluices in Earith. Hence the flooding again. The greenery on the banls is flourishing!
The water is draining and the Washes will soon be dry again
As we go into high summer the Washes are very lush and the grasses on the Cradge Bank are approaching shoulder high
Cattle are grazing in the next field, everything is still green in the Washes. The weeds are growing ever higher on the banks
The last photo of the series. It’s been a grey month but dry, and the Washes are still lush and green.
