The Allegheny River now covers the main staging area up to the first row of seats in the Amphitheater in Kittanning Riverfront Park. The top of the blue railing shows where the edge of the staging area is located.
by Jonathan Weaver
Steady rains so far this winter might lead to a dreary end to a New Year’s Day tradition in Kittanning.
Dozens of residents annually dive into the Allegheny River by way of Kittanning Riverfront Park for the annual Dianna Ashbaugh Memorial Polar Bear Plunge hours after the start of the New Year, but water levels might postpone the activity this Friday.
Kittanning #6 Fire Chief Scott Kline (who is also part of the Water Rescue Team) recommended postponing this weekend’s annual fundraiser.
“The rescuers are normally out in (weather) like this, and we’re trained for it, but for the rescue factor and the safety of the participants, we feel it’s a good year to prolong it until later in the year or maybe when the river is in tolerance of such an event,” Chief Kline said.
As of last night, the river water ranged from 16.2 and 16.5 feet, less than five feet from the normal flood stage.
“At 17 feet, they issue a warning to eliminate any navigation on the river, and right now the river flows at a rate of 70.6 cubic feet per second,” Chief Kline said.
The river level is expected to drop about two feet by Saturday, but Chief Kline was also worried about the temperature of the water and the high flow rate.
“I hate to see it cancelled with it being such a special event and the fundraising its put to – however, if you look at the participation of folks in the past, I think it’s the best safety for everyone,” Chief Kline said.
Co-Organizer Todd Ashbaugh hoped the event could go on in memory of his mother – who died of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1999 - but even before Chief Kline’s determination, Ashbaugh agreed safety came first.
A line of debris including large logs show where the flood waters were just 12 hours ago. However, with more rain tomorrow, the Allegheny River could continue to overflow its banks.
“We’re worried about a couple things: we’re worried about debris, that the water’s not deep enough, and we’re worried that there’s no safe way to get to the ramp because of the high water,” Ashbaugh said. “All that high water is moving very quickly.
“We’re not going to put (Chief Kline’s firefighters) in danger, nor are we going to put any of the swimmers in danger.”
These are the highest water levels Ashbaugh has seen for the January 1 event since the fundraiser began in 2000.
National Weather Service in Pittsburgh Meteorologist Patrick Herald explained why the water levels are so high.
“We’ve had a fair amount of rain, and since it is the cold season, much of it converts to runoff – and that is causing your creeks and streams to rise,” Herald said.
Ashbaugh was “50/50” about the event yesterday afternoon when he was only able to drive “two or three feet” toward the boat docks due to the rising water.
Because of the unpredictable January weather, Ashbaugh was unsure yesterday afternoon when the event could be rescheduled if he and Co-Organizer Ed Bower do postpone the plunge..
An unprecedented-$8,000 was donated to the American Cancer Society from the January 1, 2015.
Herald predicted no “major issues” during the current stretch of rain.
“We’ll see how much rain we get (Monday) night as the last of this system comes across, but right now, it doesn’t look as if we’ll have any major issues,” Herald said.
According to the United States Geological Survey maps early this morning, river locks in Mosgrove, Rimer and Freeport are near their respective flood stages and require ‘action’ according to the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.