I recently placed boxes near a stream and by a brook. I thought the
boxes would be safe if we got a lot of rain.

The first box was placed under a fallen tree about thirty feet from a
stream no more than a few inches deep. The box was about two feet
higher in elevation.

The second box was placed on the bank of a brook but was about five
feet above the water level of the brook.

Our area (Richmond, VA) got over 10 inches of rain during Tropical
Storm Gaston a few weeks ago. Just about every river and low place
was flooded. I was sure both my boxes were gone but I checked anyway.

The first box ended up being under about three feet of water. The
water dislodged the letterbox but fallen tree kept it from being
washed downstream. It ended up about 10 feet away near the fallen
tree's stump.

The second box ended up being under about 5 feet of water. (So the
water level of the brook went from a few feet to over 15 feet.) The
letterbox was still under the rock where I placed it but I had to dig
it out from all the mud and sand that settled there.

Both boxes had some water in it but one of the logs stayed dry. The
first box is back in it's place and the second was removed
temporarily because this part of the park was destroyed in the
flood. It will be replaced when the park is in good condition.

Bob2

P.S. The newspaper said it was a once in 5,900 year storm. How they
figured that I don't know but I thought it was safe enough to leave
the boxes where they originially were located.