Mooseman area is underwater

Unbelievable. 

Are you sure this is not due at least in part to all of the "relieving of yourself" you did up here in NH last weekend?

I'm sure that wasn't any help...but I just couldn't hold it until I got home!  I tried to go when the drainage seemed to be headed in an easterly direction!  LOL

Between the Colonial and this, Keith/Endorfun Sports is having a tough year.

A lot can happen in 2 weeks though.  

The latest from Keith:

Here it is straight from the horses mouth....

It's really a waiting game, out of our hands. Can't clean the park until the water subsides. Have really no idea when that'll be. Could be the beginning of next week, could be 2 weeks. Then, it could just be too muddy to work with, clean, etc...Alot depends on the upcoming weather, I'd guess...Talked again with the Park Manager. He figured it'd take a couple of weeks. He's not sure, though, as this has never happened before....

There is also the issue of road quality. There are several roads teetering on collapse, and we won't know about that for a bit either, depending on what DOT deems...

The dilemma we face is when to make the decision...On one side, we'd like to wait as long as possible. But, we also don't want to wait too long, and affect athletes' plans.

We will NOT cancel the race, if I have any choice. It's not fair to the athletes to just take the entry fees, if it can be avoided. But, there is a strong possibility of postponing it until Fall. I'm working on contingency plans with the Park, Police, and Timers, etc to have a Sept. 23-24 date as a backup plan.

We LOVE Mooseman, and want to make sure we're considerate to all of the athletes. Very tough. We're going to send something out to everyone today, to let them know where we are. I don't want to panic people, but do want to make sure they know what's up.

Point Blank, being up there yesterday, I basically said there was NO WAY we could hold a race in 2.5 weeks. But, things can change very quickly. To be fair to everyone, we're going to keep inspecting it, and make a decision early next week.

My fear is deciding too soon, and having athletes upset when the weather turns 80 and sunny for 2 weeks, and the park's good to go. My other fear is waiting too long, and messing up people's plans with accommodations, etc. Tough call....

The park clean up after this is a big issue as well. There will be a TON of debris, and mud, that may be insurmountable. I guess it depends alot on when the water subsides, and we can get at it. It's pretty much Mother Nature's call, I'd guess....

Keith, is the section of road at the ledges underwater? The normal water level is usually not too far from the road, so I was wondering...

WOW, that's a very tough call indeed and as a fellow RD (but at a much smaller scale) I know you are facing a VERY difficult decision. I really hope the weather cooperates in the next few weeks and luck is in your side. As a fellow triathlete and registered participant for Mooseman Oly I am confident that whatever you decide it we’ll be the best option for “us” the athletes. Of course, if the race has to be cancelled or postpone I’ll probably be a bit disappointed but I know it is beyond your control, I know how hard your work to produce the best events around and I’ll still be a great fan and supporter of your races.  (I am hoping other athletes understand this is well) I wish you the best of luck and lets hope for a heat wave coming up our way

Absolutely right Jorge. We have total faith in you Keith. 

For what it's worth, accuweather 15 day forecast is showing a lot of sunny and mid 70 degree days over the next two weeks.

Keith, if you need any sort of manpower this weekend, I would be more than happy to drive the couple hrs up that way to help out.  I'll post this too on the Timberman board.  Let us know if volunteering to do any necessary "grunt work" would help you out of a sticky situation!

can the fire service not pump some of the water to somewhere? i'm sure i've seen that done befoe.

good luck and don't be too disheartened. last time i visited my sister in france the river had flooded and water was half way up the football (soccer) posts - was dry byt he time we left - 10 day vacation.

Nothing to add except that I am doing my sun dance. 

Also, that I have faith that Keith wil be making the decision with everyone's best interest in mind.  One last thing - As much of a bummer as a postponed, or cancelled Mooseman would be, there are lots of people with much, much bigger problems due this this ridiculous weather pattern we've seen. 

With all you've been through, with the Colonial, and now the weather (yet again this year!) if you aren't awarded "Race Director Of The Century" it's a total crime in the triathlon community!

To give you an idea of the water levels, here's a photo from the Union Leader today:

"A worker cuts through metal beams with a torch yesterday to help remove a catwalk from atop a dam over the Newfound River in Bristol, where the downtown area was evacuated due to concern that the dam would break and flood homes and businesses."

"High water in Newfound lake, which was nearly 3 feet above the full lake level, affected many lakefront homes, like these off Route 3A in Bridgewater."