Through the years

40 YEARS AGO: AMPLE WATER PROVIDES FALL--Spring moisture in the area makes every runnable stream flowing at near full tilt these days. One example is a 90-foot waterfall from atop the spring bluff at Roaring River State Park. This photo Monday shows a healthy stream of water cascading past well worn rock bluffs. Merle Rogers, park naturalist, said the stream is flowing about 35 million gallons of water daily. Average for the spring is 22 million. Contributing to the water situation is the 7.07 inches of rainfall and snow moisture measured in March. Thus far in April, readings Monday were 1.11, says Mary Ann Thomas of the U.S. Forest Service. For the year rainfall stands at 12.55 inches. This March was the wettest since the 7.48 inches recorded in 1978.

40 YEARS AGO: MIND SIGNS, THEY MEAN BUSINESS — Signs such as this is up on highways of the state, a result of severe break up of pavement in recent thawing weather. Jay Buxton, area maintenance supervisor, says a minimum of 75 miles of roads are in bad condition following weekend traffic. Especially hard hit are routes like Highway 37 which carries large counts of both passenger and commercial vehicles daily. Buxton said highway crews would be placing these signs at locations wherever “potholes” appear. He said the public should use caution traveling in any area road, signed or not, since break-up can occur at any time.