Dam, the stream's a changin!

It's amazing how quickly the rivers, streams and brooks remould themselves after rain; their courses, forms and natures really are as fluid as the liquid that flows along them. The frequent and heavy rain we've experienced lately, after the overcast although dry summer, has swelled the streams sweeping over the land adjoining the watercourses scouring and sweeping any loose woodland detritus that had accumulated since last winter. This detritus, large and small, has assembled amongst the overhanging branches of bank side trees and shrubs or wedged betwixt fallen trees (having fallen across a waterway)forming dams, some quiet considerable. Following the meandering course of Highland water between Milliford Bridge and Roman Bridge, I could hear it long before I could see it, the sound of rushing, bubbling water filled the woods; a dam, so substantial it had caused the water to pursue a different course. This change of course is creating an oxbow lake, helped by a further effective dam at the other end of the meander. The water being forced to conform to this new route gushes over a quickly eroding waterfall cutting backwards up stream; next to it a large Oak , taken by suprise, has succumbed to the erosion caused by these changes and has fallen. This place will be in flux for some time and I shall visit again periodically to witness the transformation.