The Fredericton Flood of ’08

My mama always taught me that good things come from adversity if we put our faith in the Lord.  We couldn't see much good in the flood waters when they were causing us to have to leave home, But when the water went down, we found that it had washed a load of rich black bottom dirt across our land. The following year we had the best cotton crop we'd ever had...

The parking lot at the Public Library flooded as the river spilled its banks. The windows face the St John River.

I remember hearing:

How high's the water, mama?
Two feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Two feet high and risin'

We can make it to the road in a homemade boat
That's the only thing we got left that'll float
It's already over all the wheat and the oats,
Two feet high and risin'

Brunswick Street is the third street back from the river, and runs parallel to it.  It flooded in 1963 and 1973 and 2005

The Street reflects the history of the City. The “front street” is Queen Street, then King Street,

then Brunswick Street.

Next is George Street and then Charlotte Street...

The street layout dates back to the reign of Queen Charlotte and King George of the House of Brunswick.

How high's the water, mama?
Three feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Three feet high and risin'

Well, the hives are gone,
I've lost my bees
The chickens are sleepin'
In the willow trees
Cow's in water up past her knees,
Three feet high and risin'

Officers’ Square in Downtown Fredericton was flooded.  In the winter this is a popular outdoor skating rink and in the summer tourists join locals on the Green to enjoy concerts and Craft Fairs.

How high's the water, mama?
Four feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Four feet high and risin'

Hey, come look through the window pane,
The bus is comin', gonna take us to the train
Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain,
4 feet high and risin'

This view from the North side of the river shows the extent of the flooding around the Westmorland Street Bridge.  Only the main approaches were kept open at the height of the flood, restricting traffic flow and slowing the rush hour drive home.

How high's the water, mama?
Five feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Five feet high and risin'

Well, the rails are washed out north of town
We gotta head for higher ground
We can't come back till the water comes down,
Five feet high and risin'

Well, it's five feet high and risin'

The flooding forces spring fishing to become innovative.  Here a sport is wetting a line on a side street in hopes of

landing a Black Salmon.

Fishing hole

The Highland Shepherd