As storms blow and die, as we “shout out” our greetings and disagreements,
the woods and shores remain, firm and solid. This winter has discontent for many. A job is gone or going. A mortgage submerges. A budget is ravaged. The future in doubt. A tragic half an Island called Haiti, has unimaginable suffering. The marvelous Vikings... lost it. So much to absorb, yet... listen. Pause a moment. What is it that really matters - when our Earth moves? Food, family, and shelter. Enough to eat. Our own, safe and healthy. A roof and walls, heat and safety. Here in the Northland are blessings enough, mostly. For some, but not for all.
In recent weeks the winter landscape has displayed snow, ice, and frost, to the delight of sledders, fishermen, and photographers. This “solid water” is a reminder of the flowing clear water that the next three months will bring. The silence of a frosty dawn holds this promise. Soon winter-hearty songbirds flutter in to check our feeders. Here in the winter woods, tropical time-shared escapes with their luxuries, seem as though they belong in another world. Once again I focus on “food, family, and shelter.”
PRIORITY: WATER
A Clean Water Listening Session is coming to this region - TOMORROW! The University of Minnesota has a Water Resources Center that is partnering with the State’s Board of Soil and Water Resources. Together they are traveling statewide in January and February to eight different locations to gather ideas for a 25-year water plan.
Our nearest location to meet these folks, and give them our thoughts, is the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd. From 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, February 4th, a session is planned for Citizens and local officials. Water professionals will meet from 12:30 to 3:30, for a two-way status report and checkup, on the first year of the Clean Water Fund.
The two “similar” sessions will both cover the recently-passed sales tax increase, known as the Legacy Amendment, which has started paying more for the arts, trails, wildlife, and water. The sessions will explain this new 25-year plan called the “Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework.” These sessions give folks a chance to have a voice in building this long-term “Framework.”
As a warmup for tomorrow’s meeting, the U’s Water Resource Center has posted a short on-line survey. I went to their website wrc.umn.edu and searched for “Minnesotans and Their Water online survey.” It is a pretty good chance to put your priorities on record. What do you value about clean water? How would you rank its uses? To drink, to grow food, to play, to shelter wildlife, or what?. I hope to see some of you tomorrow in Brainerd.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
DECADES for Waterworks
as seen in the Aitkin Independent Age, pretty soon
A DECADE OF PUBLIC WATERWORKS
According to one way of counting, the second decade of the Twenty First Century will soon begin. Remembering all the excitement about year 2000 and its computer algorithms, the predictions of automated shutdowns seem long ago. Most computer systems survived the Millenium shift, and rivers are still flowing to the sea. Whether or not the sea level is rising, or how fast, is a longer-term matter for centuries to tell.
As we enter into year 2010 and another decade, I’m recalling how much organizing has been accomplished since 2000, around lakes in Aitkin County. A number of new lake associations have gotten started, more have been attempted, and new lake monitors have been found to test the water. The county-wide coalition of lake associations, ACLARA, was regenerated several years ago, following a summer of water workshops at the Long Lake Conservation Center.
During this decade, the County Board has enacted a fourth update to the Water Plan for Aitkin County, as well as amending the Shoreland Ordinance with important new Alternative Standards. About two or three years ago the State Legislature mandated a rule-making process for new state-wide shoreland regulations. In early 2010 the resulting draft document from the DNR’s work with advisory committees across Minnesota will be ready for public examination. Already there is strong interest in what sizes and shapes of temporary docks will be permitted in the future.
As the time is soon upon us for New Year’s resolutions, I suggest we think forward about a New Decade with increasing protection for the beautiful waters of Aitkin County.
ICE COVER PRETTY SOON
In recent weeks there has been just a little ice on puddles and ponds. The thin sheets of morning ice on larger lakes have melted quickly before noon. As I rearranged boulders and cement blocks in front of our place the other day for access by skaters and skiers, I felt cold water through my boots, ready to freeze up at the first cold snap.
With any luck there will be clear smooth ice for early skating before snow and rain and cracking roughen the surface. This is the time to remember to wear life jackets and carry spikes on a cord along with you, even when you think the ice is “thick enough.”.
The DNR puts out the same message every year about how many inches of ice thickness are required for walking - driving an ATV or Snowmobile - or driving a car or pickup onto a lake. But are there hidden springs and inlets? Cracks and ridges?
I like to explore carefully at the edges and carry a long probe, besides those spikes - and have a companion along. The best advice? There is no such thing as “Safe Ice!”
A DECADE OF PUBLIC WATERWORKS
According to one way of counting, the second decade of the Twenty First Century will soon begin. Remembering all the excitement about year 2000 and its computer algorithms, the predictions of automated shutdowns seem long ago. Most computer systems survived the Millenium shift, and rivers are still flowing to the sea. Whether or not the sea level is rising, or how fast, is a longer-term matter for centuries to tell.
As we enter into year 2010 and another decade, I’m recalling how much organizing has been accomplished since 2000, around lakes in Aitkin County. A number of new lake associations have gotten started, more have been attempted, and new lake monitors have been found to test the water. The county-wide coalition of lake associations, ACLARA, was regenerated several years ago, following a summer of water workshops at the Long Lake Conservation Center.
During this decade, the County Board has enacted a fourth update to the Water Plan for Aitkin County, as well as amending the Shoreland Ordinance with important new Alternative Standards. About two or three years ago the State Legislature mandated a rule-making process for new state-wide shoreland regulations. In early 2010 the resulting draft document from the DNR’s work with advisory committees across Minnesota will be ready for public examination. Already there is strong interest in what sizes and shapes of temporary docks will be permitted in the future.
As the time is soon upon us for New Year’s resolutions, I suggest we think forward about a New Decade with increasing protection for the beautiful waters of Aitkin County.
ICE COVER PRETTY SOON
In recent weeks there has been just a little ice on puddles and ponds. The thin sheets of morning ice on larger lakes have melted quickly before noon. As I rearranged boulders and cement blocks in front of our place the other day for access by skaters and skiers, I felt cold water through my boots, ready to freeze up at the first cold snap.
With any luck there will be clear smooth ice for early skating before snow and rain and cracking roughen the surface. This is the time to remember to wear life jackets and carry spikes on a cord along with you, even when you think the ice is “thick enough.”.
The DNR puts out the same message every year about how many inches of ice thickness are required for walking - driving an ATV or Snowmobile - or driving a car or pickup onto a lake. But are there hidden springs and inlets? Cracks and ridges?
I like to explore carefully at the edges and carry a long probe, besides those spikes - and have a companion along. The best advice? There is no such thing as “Safe Ice!”
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Lake in November
INTERIM
lake in November deep blue and crystal clear
geese flock and rest on this warm afternoon
oak leaves have dropped to make a brown carpet
my firewood is sawed and split - stacked for later warmth
the sunny sky is an airway for every size migrant
beside these waters I sit content and ready
ready for next season next idea next task next sound
it comes across the lake where a hundred geese
approach the shore
lake in November deep blue and crystal clear
geese flock and rest on this warm afternoon
oak leaves have dropped to make a brown carpet
my firewood is sawed and split - stacked for later warmth
the sunny sky is an airway for every size migrant
beside these waters I sit content and ready
ready for next season next idea next task next sound
it comes across the lake where a hundred geese
approach the shore
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
WHAT IS NORMAL?
as seen in WATERWORKS 11/4/2009 The Aitkin Independent Age
Water scientists look at sampling results on our lakes and will only talk about trends in water quality after years of observations. But cabin people like to talk about the look of the lake and the weather we’re having “right now.” “What’s all this about global warming? It’s been cold in October!” Now that the last week of October has seen a little sunshine, and outside chores are finished, I’m still convinced that this is not a "normal" fall season.
In September we had a month of warm summer weather, which kept the green foliage on trees and shrubs. Then a week into October, when brilliant maple colors were reaching a delayed peak, we had sudden snowfalls and a killing freeze that withered our gardens.
Confusion everywhere. Snow collected on green oak leaves. Two inches of snow covered green lawns. Box elder trees shed leaves quickly in connected bunches. Surprisingly, the tamaracks stood out boldly in their finest gold. Deciduous trees around the lake were still green when cold weather forced the last holdout to skip a boatride to view the fall colors. Time to put away the boat and remove the dock ahead of an early freeze-up.
Sure, the glaciers somewhere may be disappearing, and the polar icecaps are getting thinner. There are songbirds are moving their nests north. We can discuss “climate” at another time. But can you recall ever experiencing “weather” like this?
ORGANIZING LAKE ASSOCIATIONS
About five years ago a new lake association got off the ground with help from neighbors and the Soil and Water office. Our stated purpose at Nord Lake was pretty simple - to protect and preserve the lake, and to get to know the people living around the lake. In my experience as a vacationer, and more recently as a cabin owner, I have observed that some folks come North to “get away” and are not looking for new social networks.
But there were some on our lake who urged us on - to organize, in order to preserve the lake, and to get better acquainted. It turned out that about half of the people near our lake have become association members, with a core group willing to lead picnics, road pick-ups, boat parades, and send out newsletters.
In the summer of 2004 the Aitkin County Water Planning Task Force sponsored a series of workshops on lake stewardship to help reorganize a previous coalition of county lake associations that had become inactive. Today this new Aitkin County Lakes And Rivers Association, or “ACLARA,” is planning some initiatives for its 20 member associations in the coming year. An educational event about the movement of Aquatic Invasive Species into our area, and demonstrations of stormwater management will be offered. Lakes that are looking for help in forming new associations, or support with existing ones, will find experienced organizers ready to work with them.
Water scientists look at sampling results on our lakes and will only talk about trends in water quality after years of observations. But cabin people like to talk about the look of the lake and the weather we’re having “right now.” “What’s all this about global warming? It’s been cold in October!” Now that the last week of October has seen a little sunshine, and outside chores are finished, I’m still convinced that this is not a "normal" fall season.
In September we had a month of warm summer weather, which kept the green foliage on trees and shrubs. Then a week into October, when brilliant maple colors were reaching a delayed peak, we had sudden snowfalls and a killing freeze that withered our gardens.
Confusion everywhere. Snow collected on green oak leaves. Two inches of snow covered green lawns. Box elder trees shed leaves quickly in connected bunches. Surprisingly, the tamaracks stood out boldly in their finest gold. Deciduous trees around the lake were still green when cold weather forced the last holdout to skip a boatride to view the fall colors. Time to put away the boat and remove the dock ahead of an early freeze-up.
Sure, the glaciers somewhere may be disappearing, and the polar icecaps are getting thinner. There are songbirds are moving their nests north. We can discuss “climate” at another time. But can you recall ever experiencing “weather” like this?
ORGANIZING LAKE ASSOCIATIONS
About five years ago a new lake association got off the ground with help from neighbors and the Soil and Water office. Our stated purpose at Nord Lake was pretty simple - to protect and preserve the lake, and to get to know the people living around the lake. In my experience as a vacationer, and more recently as a cabin owner, I have observed that some folks come North to “get away” and are not looking for new social networks.
But there were some on our lake who urged us on - to organize, in order to preserve the lake, and to get better acquainted. It turned out that about half of the people near our lake have become association members, with a core group willing to lead picnics, road pick-ups, boat parades, and send out newsletters.
In the summer of 2004 the Aitkin County Water Planning Task Force sponsored a series of workshops on lake stewardship to help reorganize a previous coalition of county lake associations that had become inactive. Today this new Aitkin County Lakes And Rivers Association, or “ACLARA,” is planning some initiatives for its 20 member associations in the coming year. An educational event about the movement of Aquatic Invasive Species into our area, and demonstrations of stormwater management will be offered. Lakes that are looking for help in forming new associations, or support with existing ones, will find experienced organizers ready to work with them.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Our Best Idea
WATERWORKS Column for 10/14/2009 Age
The week September 27 to October 2 contained television at its best, in this columnist’s opinion. Ken Burns introduced himself to millions of public TV watchers years ago when he filmed a riveting special on the Civil War. In this new 12-hour feature Our National Parks, we saw spectacular beauty of the natural features of the United States. The cinematography, historical narration, and musical accompaniment combined to make a program noone should miss. If you haven’t seen it, I’m sure there will be PBS reruns.
As David Duncan explains in the show, the National Parks, which now number at least 38, are America’s “Best Idea.” Except for our democratic form of government. So caught up in catching most of the 12 hours over the six days was I, that I completely forgot about my Waterworks column and its Friday deadline. So instead of the “first Wednesday” this time, it comes to you now.
A year ago in early August the Pricketts celebrated our wedding anniversary with an Empire Builder Amtrak train ride to East Glacier Park, Montana, and a week’s stay at Many Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park. It was our “Best Idea in 2008,” and it has been fun seeing these sights again with Ken Burns.
OLD GEEZERS NEAR THE BWCA
My love of wilderness lakes and woods was formed at age 14 when our Scoutmaster organized a two-week canoe trip with his neighbor who manufactured “Barnard Wilderness Tents.” We paddled, portaged, camped, swam, and fished along the Canadian border in the Superior National Forest, at that time a roadless area, where flying was banned.
This year from late August to the Labor Day weekend, seven high school classmates came together up near Ely for our thirteenth “Old Geezer Canoe Trip.” This is the scribe’s account:
Burntside Retreat
After many trips into the wilderness the old guys settle for easier camping: a rented hideaway dry and furnished on a rocky pine-bordered lake at the edge of Ely’’s waters. Old stories are mostly repeated; friendships and rivalries persist since grade school.
Our leader Tony Andersen has died, who restarted us 26 years ago. Four of the living began paddling 60 years ago with Scoutmaster Elmer L. Now we ride in a power boat with electronic finder for fish and depth, zooming here and there at 25 mph to troll and snag, sometimes catching smallmouth and northern pike. A faithful few still paddle Mad River and Grumman canoes.
Sleeping bags cover mattresses in the cabin. Propane gives refrigeration, cooking stove, and lamps. Lake water is drinkable, mostly boiled. We reminisce, eat, and drink well; sing, smoke, and strum.
Just a handful of years remain for this declining gang. Once we could pull a lot of water and take portages in stride. Today we limp onto the dock stiffly, after hours in the boat. We tell each other how fun it is. We’ll do it some more, as soon as we can.
- Guide Gord, September 2009
The week September 27 to October 2 contained television at its best, in this columnist’s opinion. Ken Burns introduced himself to millions of public TV watchers years ago when he filmed a riveting special on the Civil War. In this new 12-hour feature Our National Parks, we saw spectacular beauty of the natural features of the United States. The cinematography, historical narration, and musical accompaniment combined to make a program noone should miss. If you haven’t seen it, I’m sure there will be PBS reruns.
As David Duncan explains in the show, the National Parks, which now number at least 38, are America’s “Best Idea.” Except for our democratic form of government. So caught up in catching most of the 12 hours over the six days was I, that I completely forgot about my Waterworks column and its Friday deadline. So instead of the “first Wednesday” this time, it comes to you now.
A year ago in early August the Pricketts celebrated our wedding anniversary with an Empire Builder Amtrak train ride to East Glacier Park, Montana, and a week’s stay at Many Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park. It was our “Best Idea in 2008,” and it has been fun seeing these sights again with Ken Burns.
OLD GEEZERS NEAR THE BWCA
My love of wilderness lakes and woods was formed at age 14 when our Scoutmaster organized a two-week canoe trip with his neighbor who manufactured “Barnard Wilderness Tents.” We paddled, portaged, camped, swam, and fished along the Canadian border in the Superior National Forest, at that time a roadless area, where flying was banned.
This year from late August to the Labor Day weekend, seven high school classmates came together up near Ely for our thirteenth “Old Geezer Canoe Trip.” This is the scribe’s account:
Burntside Retreat
After many trips into the wilderness the old guys settle for easier camping: a rented hideaway dry and furnished on a rocky pine-bordered lake at the edge of Ely’’s waters. Old stories are mostly repeated; friendships and rivalries persist since grade school.
Our leader Tony Andersen has died, who restarted us 26 years ago. Four of the living began paddling 60 years ago with Scoutmaster Elmer L. Now we ride in a power boat with electronic finder for fish and depth, zooming here and there at 25 mph to troll and snag, sometimes catching smallmouth and northern pike. A faithful few still paddle Mad River and Grumman canoes.
Sleeping bags cover mattresses in the cabin. Propane gives refrigeration, cooking stove, and lamps. Lake water is drinkable, mostly boiled. We reminisce, eat, and drink well; sing, smoke, and strum.
Just a handful of years remain for this declining gang. Once we could pull a lot of water and take portages in stride. Today we limp onto the dock stiffly, after hours in the boat. We tell each other how fun it is. We’ll do it some more, as soon as we can.
- Guide Gord, September 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Waterworks Column Aitkin Independent Age 9/2/2009
IT STILL RAINS IN MINNESOTA
Looking at the foliage, the pastures, and the lake levels this summer, I take encouragement from the renewable water supply in this neck of the woods. We hear of drought, lack of rainfall, heat waves, and wild fires in other parts of the country. About a century ago my grandfather, living in dry Nebraska, saw advertisements for farmland in west central Minnesota. They read “It still rains in Minnesota!” And so it does. From our rain gauge, I recorded 7.9 inches in July and, lacking a couple days, 2.4 inches in August.
With much of the world looking at fresh water scarcity, in Aitkin County we have a resource advantage of plentiful wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Plus a spreading awareness of how to keep the quality of these water bodies safe and secure. One of the projects of our Water Planning Task Force is sponsorship of rain garden and rain barrel demonstrations. By containing and slowing the movement of pouring-down rains, these measures help prevent erosion and siltation. Work is now in progress at the Long Lake Conservation Center and at the Soil and Water Office, where you will be able to observe and receive instruction in better practices with rainfall where you live.
LAKE MONITORS GET REPORTS
Reports from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have been published last month for sites at 1317 Minnesota lakes. In Aitkin County about 30 lakes have been regularly monitored in recent years. My individual Site Report for Nord Lake in 2008, and the preceding 11 years, is the most complete and easy to read of any lake information that I have seen.
To see what the status is on any of the monitored county lakes, the first call to make is to an officer or member of the particular lake association. Most of the 30 or so monitored lakes have volunteers who measure the transparency during the summer, and they receive this detailed report. Lake association members, in most cases, have access to the water data, which is shared around the lake.
If you need further assistance, the Soil and Water Office keeps water monitoring records and can direct you to the person who is currently measuring the clarity at each organized lake. Just call them at 927-6565.
In the case of Nord Lake, the clarity has been steady over 12 years with no trending, and the standards for recreational suitability are being met consistently.
Looking at the foliage, the pastures, and the lake levels this summer, I take encouragement from the renewable water supply in this neck of the woods. We hear of drought, lack of rainfall, heat waves, and wild fires in other parts of the country. About a century ago my grandfather, living in dry Nebraska, saw advertisements for farmland in west central Minnesota. They read “It still rains in Minnesota!” And so it does. From our rain gauge, I recorded 7.9 inches in July and, lacking a couple days, 2.4 inches in August.
With much of the world looking at fresh water scarcity, in Aitkin County we have a resource advantage of plentiful wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Plus a spreading awareness of how to keep the quality of these water bodies safe and secure. One of the projects of our Water Planning Task Force is sponsorship of rain garden and rain barrel demonstrations. By containing and slowing the movement of pouring-down rains, these measures help prevent erosion and siltation. Work is now in progress at the Long Lake Conservation Center and at the Soil and Water Office, where you will be able to observe and receive instruction in better practices with rainfall where you live.
LAKE MONITORS GET REPORTS
Reports from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have been published last month for sites at 1317 Minnesota lakes. In Aitkin County about 30 lakes have been regularly monitored in recent years. My individual Site Report for Nord Lake in 2008, and the preceding 11 years, is the most complete and easy to read of any lake information that I have seen.
To see what the status is on any of the monitored county lakes, the first call to make is to an officer or member of the particular lake association. Most of the 30 or so monitored lakes have volunteers who measure the transparency during the summer, and they receive this detailed report. Lake association members, in most cases, have access to the water data, which is shared around the lake.
If you need further assistance, the Soil and Water Office keeps water monitoring records and can direct you to the person who is currently measuring the clarity at each organized lake. Just call them at 927-6565.
In the case of Nord Lake, the clarity has been steady over 12 years with no trending, and the standards for recreational suitability are being met consistently.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Becoming an Eagle
Twenty five years ago our son prepared for high school graduation and entry to college. With only a couple months to go he realized that he was just a few merit badges lacking for his Eagle Scout award. And this needed to happen before his 18th birthday. With a sustained burst of effort he completed those badges and his eagle tree-planting project.
For the past two weeks I have listened and watched along our lakeshore as one and maybe two eaglets have fledged. We saw the nesting pair of adult eagles return to their tallest white pine this Spring. Then for weeks one of the eagles was delivering food from lake to nest.
Imagine if your very first step was out of a warm comfortable nest into thin air ninety feet above ground. Instinct and parents prepare these young birds. They grow and exercise their new wings day by day, gaining strength. As a pilot I recall my very first time alone in an airborne cockpit, maneuvering towards an airstrip with no alternative but a safe landing on the ground.
For about two weeks we have seen a young eagle - all dark brown, with a few light blotches on its chest - flying above the trees along the lakeshore.
Sometimes he lands on a dead branch or a covered boatlift. Always he gives a loud high-pitched squeak every few seconds. Today I heard a second distant squeak while watching the first eaglet sitting on the neighbor's boatlift and squeaking. It appears that a second eaglet has now left the nest. As the air show continued, a parent (identified by its white tail, neck, and head) circled above.
Yesterday out on the lake I saw the young eagle occupying the same bare branch on a tall tree on the island where the parents regularly roost. This perch gives them a clear view in all directions. Flight school will continue now with training in searching, diving, grasping, and carrying fish.
This is the second year we have watched as eaglets are shown by their parents how to become full-fledged eagles. What a delight to observe up close the development of this majestic bird with its graceful and powerful flight.
For the past two weeks I have listened and watched along our lakeshore as one and maybe two eaglets have fledged. We saw the nesting pair of adult eagles return to their tallest white pine this Spring. Then for weeks one of the eagles was delivering food from lake to nest.
Imagine if your very first step was out of a warm comfortable nest into thin air ninety feet above ground. Instinct and parents prepare these young birds. They grow and exercise their new wings day by day, gaining strength. As a pilot I recall my very first time alone in an airborne cockpit, maneuvering towards an airstrip with no alternative but a safe landing on the ground.
For about two weeks we have seen a young eagle - all dark brown, with a few light blotches on its chest - flying above the trees along the lakeshore.
Sometimes he lands on a dead branch or a covered boatlift. Always he gives a loud high-pitched squeak every few seconds. Today I heard a second distant squeak while watching the first eaglet sitting on the neighbor's boatlift and squeaking. It appears that a second eaglet has now left the nest. As the air show continued, a parent (identified by its white tail, neck, and head) circled above.
Yesterday out on the lake I saw the young eagle occupying the same bare branch on a tall tree on the island where the parents regularly roost. This perch gives them a clear view in all directions. Flight school will continue now with training in searching, diving, grasping, and carrying fish.
This is the second year we have watched as eaglets are shown by their parents how to become full-fledged eagles. What a delight to observe up close the development of this majestic bird with its graceful and powerful flight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
