Posted on 02/05/2024 1:32:16 PM PST by nickcarraway
Devastation struck at Wilder Ranch State Park Sunday evening. The area hardest hit was the park's historic complex. A thick layer of mud was left in the historic cow barn, three feet of water inundated the visitor center and park store, and an electric fence got swept away.
Because the ground was already saturated, and there was a lot of debris in Wilder Creek, Sunday's downpours prompted water to jump the banks and rush right into the historic complex.
Advertisement "It's really hard to see this kind of damage," said Bonny Hawley, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks executive director.
The historic barn was built over the creek, and even though efforts have been made to modernize and strengthen it, it just hasn't been enough to keep up with recent storms.
"Our mission goals for California State Parks is to protect and preserve historic cultural resources, as well as natural resources, and we're kind of at the interface of both those things here," said Mike Grone, senior state archeologist, California State Parks.
State parks crews, with assistance from the California Conservation Corps, have been out for the last three days starting to clean up and preserve what they can.
Luckily, no animals were harmed, but several centuries-old buildings took a beating.
"We really need to take care of these historic treasurers for now and for future generations. We take it very seriously to repair these buildings and try to mitigate in case of future disasters," Hawley said.
This happened last year as well, but park officials say this time was much worse.
In preparation for this year, crews did creek management, but because of red tape setbacks to clear the vegetation, not enough was done.
"I hope it isn't the new normal, but I think we all have to be ready to work together and be nimble and be responsive and answer the call when our shared history is threatened," Hawley said.
The focus right now is on immediate recovery, but in the long term, crews are considering serious changes to the creek, even altering the channel's course in an effort to preserve this historic complex.
Devastation struck at Wilder Ranch State Park Sunday evening. The area hardest hit was the park's historic complex. A thick layer of mud was left in the historic cow barn, three feet of water inundated the visitor center and park store, and an electric fence got swept away.
Because the ground was already saturated, and there was a lot of debris in Wilder Creek, Sunday's downpours prompted water to jump the banks and rush right into the historic complex.
"It's really hard to see this kind of damage," said Bonny Hawley, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks executive director.
The historic barn was built over the creek, and even though efforts have been made to modernize and strengthen it, it just hasn't been enough to keep up with recent storms.
"Our mission goals for California State Parks is to protect and preserve historic cultural resources, as well as natural resources, and we're kind of at the interface of both those things here," said Mike Grone, senior state archeologist, California State Parks.
State parks crews, with assistance from the California Conservation Corps, have been out for the last three days starting to clean up and preserve what they can.
Luckily, no animals were harmed, but several centuries-old buildings took a beating.
"We really need to take care of these historic treasurers for now and for future generations. We take it very seriously to repair these buildings and try to mitigate in case of future disasters," Hawley said.
This happened last year as well, but park officials say this time was much worse.
In preparation for this year, crews did creek management, but because of red tape setbacks to clear the vegetation, not enough was done.
"I hope it isn't the new normal, but I think we all have to be ready to work together and be nimble and be responsive and answer the call when our shared history is threatened," Hawley said.
The focus right now is on immediate recovery, but in the long term, crews are considering serious changes to the creek, even altering the channel's course in an effort to preserve this historic complex.
After the last 24 hours, it’s probably worse.
Yeah.
Things wash out in Santa Cruz when it rains like this.
Of course Newsom and others told us a few years ago it would never rain again like this because of climate change.
Forever drought.
Interesting. Maybe instead of Commiefornia falling into the ocean via earthquake, maybe it’ll be washed away instead. I’ll bet the creation deniers will have something to think about after seeing what kind of damage lots of water can do.
How badly is Big Sur catching it this time?
Be sure your sin will find you out.
White barn,, white houses, white horse - I’m use you know the rest..
It’s nothing.
The place looks centuries old, still, with no flood waters. It just has some branches down.
This is a nothingburger.
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What?
Oh no! Our family has hiked and hiked there more times than we count. It was a favorite place for us!
First Big Basin devastated by fire and now water. Typical California coast, huh?
Our daughter and boyfriend are driving to Pismo today for a week of work. She sent some great photos from around El Toro park. Incredible skies and storm clouds rolling off the Pacific.
Any organization with ‘friends of’ in their name is not your friend. Their usually *holes.
Ha Ha , welcome to winter.
That’s the error message I got.
My daughter works for CCC. I wonder if she's involved in this.
I helped install a cell tower on Toro.
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