Super Moon and super tide are due

Contrary to what an esteemed Senator said a while ago, we really do know what causes tides (it’s the moon), and we can even predict them .

On Nov. 14 we will experience a so called “Super Moon”, at which time the moon will be closer to the earth than it has been since 1948, assuming the sky is clear it will be the brightest full moon in most of our lives. Perhaps more importantly the tide on the 15th will be extraordinarily high. If we should have a low pressure zone or if we have a significant rain we can expect some flooding. Unlike so many of our political facts, this will happen whether we choose to believe it or not.

Downtown Olympia has experienced quite a few floods through the years, that is why the Little Hollywood tide flats became Capitol Lake and subsequently why the dam was built. Without them we would be far more prone to flooding every King Tide, which happen every year.

The lake and the dam were built for several reasons, repeated flooding being high on the list. Like New Orleans, much of Olympia is at or below sea level. Before our authorities decide natural is best maybe they should consider what natural looks like around here, very, very wet. Unless we move the city these are the conditions we live with, best wishes won’t change geography or tides but a well maintained lake and dam will keep us from being submerged.

This story was originally published October 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM with the headline "Super Moon and super tide are due."