The Indian River around 5 PM Saturday (9-6-14). Park staff closed the trail shortly after this picture was taken. (KCAW photo/Robert Woolsey)
Ordinarily a quiet, clear stream, Sitka’s Indian River became a frothy mocha after an all-day downpour dumped almost 3-and-a-half inches of rain in 12 hours. The river crested its banks around mid-day, putting one bridge in the Sitka National Historical Park completely under water. DOT crews were busy on Sawmill Creek Road clearing culverts, and residents were tip-toeing across Lincoln Street downtown as storm sewers backed up. The previous record for September 6 was 2.2 inches of rainfall in 1981.
Hiker Brandie Cheatham puts every inch of her XTRA TUFF boots to the test on the Indian River trail. (Brian McNitt photo)
