I hope a little “flood humor” at a time like this isn’t inappropriate. I couldn’t help but appreciate a little bit of irony at the sight of this irrigation rig up to its wheels in water. This is on the Mandan side, where many of these rigs populate the landscape. From time to time I could see their blue strobes flashing at night from my stargazing vantage point near Double Ditch, and for the longest time I wondered what they were. They’re unlikely to be needed in this area for a while, I presume, or in many other areas around North Dakota.

This raises another question: how many acres in North Dakota have gone unplanted this year due to water-related concerns, flooding or saturation? The answer is scary.