The first time I stepped into the White River that meanders through western South Dakota back in 1997 or so, was during the summer. The level was very low and we ran across it, playing football in the muddy water. This year was the first time I explored during the spring thaw when parts of the river are jammed with ice and other sections show high levels of fast moving water.

Wednesday night, my family and I went for a drive after supper to see what it looked like south of Stamford. I’ve never seen the big White flowing so fast and so wide!

The first spring sunset was gorgeous with the sound of the water flowing into the night.

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Thursday morning I drove down to the bridge on Hwy 83 to see the ice jam.

Due to this traffic jam (along with others on the trek to the Missouri), the water upstream expands it’s banks. Several homes are currently dealing with flooding.

The flats look like an expanded sea across the river bottom.

The river is both beautiful and destructive as the warming temperatures thaw winter’s harvest of snow.

The black birds were singing their morning song along with a chorus of wild turkeys. A bald eagle soared.

Spring has arrived!