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Environment

Contest Update: The Big Brown Mountain Lives On

Posted by Jerrold Litwinenko / June 15, 2008

200806015_brownmountain.jpgSnow storms are long gone, but over the last few weeks we've seen a barrage of wild spring storms. Torrential rain, thunderstorms, and even a rare tornado watch last week have had us wondering (as usual) whether or not these weather patterns are normal.

During the past relentless winter, city snow removal crews collected massive amounts of snow and debris from city streets and deposited it in a few locations, one being in a lot near Toronto Police 22 Division, not far from Kipling Station.

Back on April 1st, I posted a for-fun contest to see who could come closest (without going over) to guessing the date that the massive snow mountain would reach complete melt. On May 17th I provided an update and more photos. Most people guessed complete melt dates in May and early June, but the big brown mountain is still around.

Above is how it looks today, and below is a composite image that shows the melt progression from April 1st, to May 17th, to today. It looks like those guessing July or August may right after all.

big brown mountain melt contest

Discussion

10 Comments

W. K. Lis / June 15, 2008 at 05:22 pm
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As the snow melts, it leaves behind "insulation" which will slow down the melting despite the heat of summer.
katiec / June 15, 2008 at 05:36 pm
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by "insulation" do you mean garbage? it's so icky.
sniderscion / June 15, 2008 at 06:30 pm
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Even worse than garbage is all the toxic stuff that accumulates in the snow like particulate pollution spewed out of the exhaust pipes of vehicles; grease and other fluids from cars etc; dog excrement; and who knows what else. I wouldn't want to be the person who has to mop all that up at the end of the melt. I wonder what they do with the residue?

BTW; I think the Downsview one is still bigger; I'll get a shot and compare :)
Gloria / June 15, 2008 at 08:50 pm
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Oh my God, it will outlive us all.
Brent / June 16, 2008 at 11:16 am
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I'm betting it lasts clear through to next winter!
Hamish Grant / June 16, 2008 at 12:07 pm
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Woodbine Racetrack is almost finished mopping up their browntain. Saw them out there with backhoes and dumptrucks.
user / June 16, 2008 at 03:19 pm
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there is another brown snowpile just west of markam rd north of eglinton.
Heather / June 17, 2008 at 11:17 am
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Come on July 1st - Do it for the Nation!
joel / July 23, 2008 at 03:28 pm
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update?
Tim / November 2, 2008 at 11:59 pm
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So, when did it finally melt away?

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