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urther proof may not have been needed, but it came anyway on Wednesday afternoon on a westerly wind that reached 38mph. It made clear that Oriental and Pamlico County are subject to the whims of a wind tide.

Low water in the Duck Pond reveals greens as bright as the dragon’s Yeungling-glass body.

Usually, it’s the high-water events such as a hurricane or a strong Nor’easter that reminds us of this, by causing the problem of too much water and flooded lands. But it was winds out of the west that were at work Wednesday, and they pushed much of the water out of the harbor and the creeks and even away from along the edge of the Neuse River.

The terrain where Dawsons Creek usually flows in to the Neuse River. (Photo: Tony Neam)

We didn’t get snow this winter, but the low-water phenomenon seemed to deserve the treatment we’d give to snow. Thanks for some additional photos sent in by readers

In the northernmost part of Oriental’s harbor, it was readily apparent that the water was down a few feet..

At Oriental’s Lou Mac Park, the chairs looked out on the remnants of an old bulkhead.

That bulkhead only reveals itself at low water events such as Wednesday’s.

Styrontown Beach showed just how shallow its waters are. Stan Brown went for a walk there Wednesday afternoon. (Photo: Christa Brown)

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Another old bulkhead exposed at the eastern end of Oriental’s South Avenue — right where it meets Vandemere Street. In normal conditions, the bulkhead remnants are barely visible.

On Green’s Creek not even enough water to float a floating dock. (Photo, Alan Dewar)

Morris Creek off of Smith Creek turned in to mudflats Wednesday (Photo, Greg Piner)

Small boat launch at the end of Midyette street. The receeded water revealed planks left from Oriental’s lumber heyday, a century ago.

Planks left over from when Oriental was a lumbering town. That history is always just below the water’s surfce.

Piling on Pierce Creek reveals the usual water level, and where the water was Wednesday afternoon (Photo: Marshall Tyler)

Pierce Creek shoreline, usually covered by water.(Photo: Marshall Tyler)

Posted Thursday March 7, 2013 by Melinda Penkava