Just a quick update on water and ice here at Joe's Pond this Easter Sunday. Most of the snow out in the open is gone, but there are patches still where there were drifts and still quite a lot in the woods. It's good to see bare ground, but we had a lot of rain over the past two or three days and the pond is very high. Here are some comments: 
From Diane Rossi - I just know there is water above the walkway in our boathouse.  I think that’s the first time since Irene.

And from Shelly Walker - The water is up to my garden around the house on the lake side.  My stone wall at the lake is completely under water.  The ice is pushed up, but doesn't seem to be any further out.  It is still bright white.  Not any darker yet. 

It wouldn't be surprising if the pond rises a little more before it begins to recede. There is still a lot of water coming in from the hillsides where there's still snow in the woods. The pond was at "normal" level when the thawing began, so there's really not much room for all this additional water. Gone are the days when the water level could be lowered in anticipation of spring runoff or unusual amounts of rain forecast. There probably will be some damage to property around the pond and possibly chunks of wetlands dislodged. We can only hope it won't do too much damage. Yesterday Route 5 in St. Johnsbury was closed due to water coming over the road in the St. Johnsbury Center area. Thurston-Dimick Auto closed early so they wouldn't be marooned with no way to get out. Fortunately, their business is high enough so they shouldn't have any damage, but others along Memorial Drive may not be as fortunate. 
    Part of Rt. 5 in Lyndonville at the intersection of VT-122 is closed due to flooding; also Bethel Mt. Road in Rochester due to flood damage. These are the only notices right now - so the water may be down in the St. J. Center area. 
     The water is still high along the Connecticut, and will likely remain so for another day or so. 
      We hope you are having a nice Easter Sunday wherever you are and are able to stay safe and dry.