Around Loon Lake - March 17

We've had a lot of rain over the past few days combined with a significant melt. This image of data from the Trent Severn Waterways recorder at the Stump Lake dam shows the dramatic water level increase at the dam of 0.4 m (16 inches).

Each Spring, I'm reminded of the terrible breaching of the Gregory Lane causeway on April 19, 2013 - when so much damage was done and we were stranded for several days.

A lot of snow has gone from the bush; the lake has water on top of ice; and there are spots of open water around the shoreline. The Gregory Lane from the highway to the end of Moccasin Trail is clear of ice and snow but is muddy. The Loon Lake Road is the same to it's winter turn around.

While it almost looks like we're having a Spring freshet, it seems awfully early.

We notice that a lot of our winter birds are spending less time at the feeders and some of them appear to have headed north to their nesting areas. The Canada Jays are already nesting in Algonquin Park. 

Enjoy the rest of the Spring break and have a Happy St.Patrick's Day!