The ice is out on the Kennebec River

During the last couple of days the ice departed the Kennebec River in Augusta, Maine.  Right now the river flows remain relatively low but I expect that to change dramatically within the next five to seven days as warm weather begins to melt the snowpack in the upper Kennebec basin.   The USGS flow gages along the Kennebec remain frozen so I can only estimate the current flows, perhaps 10, 000 cubic feet per second in Augusta.   Thursday afternoon I traveled to North Anson to have a look at the Carrabassett River, a major source of spring runoff.  Lots of snow and ice in the upper basin.   Flows were pretty tame for now.   Next week at this time it’s going to look a lot different as the water levels begin to rise.  The sun will end this battle!