Riding on the High Waters

High water continues to dominate the nature news in this part of the neighborhood. I saw in the Duluth News-Tribune that they were featuring videos of raging rivers. For us, the run-off isn't exactly raging, but it still is pouring into the lake, and that makes the level rise.  The result for us is vigilance....we keep an eye on the boats, the ramps, and the docks.  

Our own landing ramp has some lines that serve as markers for high water years.  Last week, before the rain started, I remarked to Greg that I would love to see the level reach the first crack across the concrete. He pointed to a rock on the other side of the dock, and said that he wanted to see it underwater completely.  We both got our wishes.  As we prepared to go for a barge ride last night, he walked into the water to that crack, and estimated it to be eight inches under. The rock looks submerged to at least that depth also, but we don't want to go swimming yet to verify it!

We trolled along the south side of the lake, near to shore so that we could see the docks of the neighbors.  In most cases, everything was far enough out of the water to still be safe. I can't go so far as to say high and dry.  One boat had a back end full of water, so we lifted and pulled, able to inch the boat and its ramp high enough on land to allow the water to drain out.  

When I stand on the dock, I can see lots of debris floating in the lake.  Accustomed to scanning for birds, instead, I see sticks, logs, and other stuff.  If you are going boating on the lake anytime soon, be watchful for these things.  It's no fun to hit them.  

With nicer weather now, the water should recede a bit.  Already, one of my fishermen reported a slowing of the flow at the mouth of the Cross River, on the west end of the lake.  That is a favorite spot to go fishing for walleyes at this time of the year.  With high water, it will be a bit different for finding the usual hot spots.