Wildersmith on the Gunflint: February 5

Here we are into month two already. Although January seemed long, it was not as long as it might have been if this area was having a traditional winter. 

Having passed the legendary woodchuck/whistle pig/ground hog day, our part time winter reached the half-way mark just a day or so ago, according to the calendar. If conditions follow suit for the second half, our semi-winter is sure to be taking on a spring look sooner rather than later. 

As to the cranky critter with presumed prognosticating capabilities seeing its shadow and bailing back into its burrow for six more weeks of winter, the calendar says we’re going to have it in some form, regardless. Furthermore, the gnawing little nuisance was still snoring away in this neck of the woods on the second February day. Moreover, at this latitude it will likely not make an appearance until late April.

In addition, a weather observer/researcher down in Iowa contends the buck-tooth varmint is accurate less than 50 percent of the time. By comparison, this degree of rodent dependability equates closely with those who get paid to sensationalize our atmospheric happenings. Thusly, neither source is too reliable.  

In conclusion, whatever one thinks about this shadowy marmot spoof, the folk tale lines up quite well with our current array of aspiring presidential hopefuls, whose rhetoric predict this and promise that with, at best, perhaps an even lesser chance of ever delivering. 

Meanwhile, the Gunflint area experienced a brief spring-like interlude last weekend with temps along some parts of the Trail perking up over the freezing mark. This spike made short work of the few inches of new white dropped on us a couple days earlier and had roof edge icicles growing to new lengths. Now it’s colder once again.

It would seem the sudden warm-up did not lend itself well to the start of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. With soft and sticky snow, it’s for certain those canine athletes labored long and hard. They, like the moose, would much prefer 20 below instead of that much above zero. See results of how our local entries finished on WTIP.org. 

Calling all power sledders! The long distance poker game hits the Trails Sunday morning at nine am. Entries will depart from the Cook County Ridge Riders clubhouse on the Devil Track Lake south shore. Trails will be alive with screaming snowmobiles as the players make five stops at various lodges for their card hands before heading back for a 5:30 pm call. This event is always a fun time for those sledding folks. Participants are wished a safe run and good luck! 
                                                                 
With lakes frozen over, not many give thought to the ever increasing threat of invasive species in our pristine waters. However, if there are some such critters in border country waters they are not going away just because it’s cold outside.

The International Lake of the Woods Watershed Board met in mid-November and discussed a number of international border water quality issues.  Gunflint Lake resident Jerry Caple is a Community Advisor to the Board. He reports one item of discussion was the correlation between calcium levels and invasive species, notably rusty crayfish and zebra mussels.

This is a concern due to calcium residue run-off from its use on roads draining into streams feeding watershed lakes. The prospect of such accumulations is pertinent because these invasive species take hold and are supported by high levels of calcium.    

This scenario should be of considerable interest to those of us in the upper Trail watershed, what with years of continued calcium and other chemical treatments on county roads. Lake property owners along the Gunflint byway might want to get into the information-loop about implementing a plan for their lake water testing, if not already doing so. Water quality and testing info can be obtained from Ilena Berg at Cook County Soil and Water. 
                                                                              
On a related note, the Gunflint Lake property owners are in the early stages of building a data base, by testing inflow samplings in select locations for Ph, temperature, and conductivity. The group will also begin calcium testing (which is relatively inexpensive) this coming spring.  All this is being done to affect change, should test data provide evidence of our lake water quality being compromised. 

Further water quality issues data can be found in the Heart of the Continent Partnership’s  "new outdoor news source.” By contacting Charlene Mason [email protected]  one can subscribe to this online magazine for free. It often has articles or synopsis of scientific research covering watershed quality issues.  

This is Fred Smith, on the Trail, at Wildersmith!  It’s the month of hearts, chocolates, and the Ojibwe “sucker moon”, enjoy it in a Gunflint way!
 

(photo by Ladycamera via Wikimedia Commons)