The winter of 1994 was a harsh season that will not allow itself to be forgotten. Although there is little possibility of additional snowstorms this semester, the effects of the melting snow combined with rainfall are causing flooding problems in the area.

The State College area had an accumulation of 108 inches of snow this winter season, compared to an average of 45 inches, said Ken Reeves, senior meteorologist for Accu-Weather, 619 W. College Ave. Snow remaining on the ground or falling after the middle of February is most likely to cause potential flooding problems, Reeves said.

The Blizzard of 1993 and the heavy rains that followed caused flooding problems in residential areas last year, Reeves said. The problem has surfaced again this year.

"People that normally don't have water problems in their basements are having problems," Reeves said.

Two local streams, Slab Cabin Run and Spring Creek, have already had increased waterflow. Slab Cabin Run, which runs from Shingletown to Branch Road, has reached its bank. A baseball field, playground and parking lot at Spring Creek Park have been submerged by Spring Creek, which runs from Houserville toward Bellefonte.

The baseball field that was built last year has already been submerged under about 18 inches of water, said Greg Roth, park supervisor for the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Department.

"Last week the water was up to the tops of the players' benches," Roth said.

Ron Horner, greens supervisor of Centre Hills Country Club, 901 E. Branch Road, said the club has seen excess water, but not to flooding conditions.

"We do have quite a bit of water laying down there," he said, adding that the problem with the small puddles on the golf course is due to the accumulated snow, not flooding of creeks.

Another problem associated with flooding is the erosion of creek banks. As the water level rises, the banks of many creeks get washed away through erosion.

"Part of nature is creek erosion," said Dwight Beall, manager of the Raystown Lake Army Corps of Engineers in Philipsburg. He said the human-made lake has not exceeded flood stage.

Beall said one way to repair and prevent erosion is through a process called artificial bank stabilization. The process involves putting a layer of material between the water level and the soil, but it is very costly, he said. The materials include concrete, fabrics, stones, or anything that will keep the water from breaking down the soil.

"Some people have even used junk cars for a bank stabilization method," he said. "But natural materials are preferred."

Mother Nature uses a natural method to protect the soil from rising water, Beall said. A vegetative cover of plants acts as a stabilizer of the soil. The roots take hold in the soil, building its resistance against the water.

Heavy rains carry away topsoil and essential elements that are needed for the growth of crops.

Marv Hall, assistant professor of agronomy, said phosphorous and nitrogen are essential elements for growth. If these elements are not present when the plants start to grow, "the plants are deficient," Hall said.

If the heavy moisture accumulation occurs late in winter, like it did this year, crops might have trouble early in the growing season.

"When crops start, the soil is cooler and the roots have trouble taking hold," Hall said.

At this point in the growing season, there is no significant damage to the soil, Hall said. He said the biggest problem is the lack of water in the summer months of June, July and August

Roth said the costs of cleanup for the Spring Creek Park are going to be around $500. He said mulch and sand will need to be replaced in the playground sand pits, costing about $100. About a week's labor will be needed to repair the 28 acre park.