Lake Menomin rip-rapping

From the Dunn County News, January 9, 1957 we have a brief on Lake Menomin rip-rapping.     It was about 60 years ago as of this post that the new Lake Menomin that we know reached the level we know today.   A large amount of people in Menomonie  likely never knew the old Lake Menomin, and that same amount never realized that Lake Menomin has always had various levels of cyanobacteria blooms and even excessive weeds in some instances.      Memories fade and stories are lost and the details and accurate information is distorted, even twisted by modern day local politicians and city leaders that foolishly repeat mistakes of previous generations "lake improvement" efforts again and again.

For future generations searching for solutions to "cleaning up the lake" that might stumble upon this, one of many markers being left behind for history, the maintenance of the rip-rap should be a thing to question as well as the effect of ground water of this impounded river within the lake banks.    Consider that in the year 2000, the south lake bank had to be repaired as it was sliding into the water.   The very rip-rap seen in the photo below may have failed and is now buried under new material.

Penny Mannel had this amazing photograph on Facebook.    Most people see the crane that has slipped down the bank and that was likely the reason for this photo.  But unknowingly, this image captured one of the best moments in time that is now unseen almost 61 years to the date of this post, the rip-rap that keeps the banks of Lake Menomin from eroding into the lake (river).

Lake Menomin created. Again and bigger.

Here we are a 60 years on the nose with the creation of the Lake Menomin we know.   So from about March 1 through mid-April the water rose.

Lake Menomin in mid-march.

A lot of people seem to really go for the sunsets in pictures and there are some very nice sunsets with fiery orange glows fading on the western horizon.    There are some fantastic lake pictures with sunsets but for sunsets I think the best view for those is sitting on the Menomonie fire station's western retaining wall.   The western view and glow of the brick there makes for great summer evening moment.

But now it is nearing the end of winter, two days away.    Spring is very near.    There is still a lot of ice covering Lake Menomin right now.    The slower warm up and thick ice may mean less spring run-off of nutrient load upstream and in town as well as a possibly colder lake temperature for a little longer.

Over on Butch's Bay, cemetary bay, or off Point Comfort, ice seems to be quite thick still and these fellows are up and at it this morning.

But still, St. Patrick's day passed and Menomonie residents seem to start complaining about the green water of Lake Menomin online and sharing pictures of Chicago's river dyeing.   Not the same at all.    Lake Menomin is a river.   A dammed river here in town and upstream.   There is still flow and with that flow is a lot of very dynamic life beyond just us human beings.     Like the dormant trees this is a very alive scene despite winters final hold.

A possible easy record keeping on ice cover is the Menomonie Lions Car.   Have you ever wondered about how the cold of winter affects how well the cyanobacteria is killed off or how it might delay the rapid growth or blooming of the cyanobacteria as the year progresses?   Could this be a simple forecast for when the cyanobacteria will start to grow as the optimum conditions come on toward the end of summer?

http://www.menomonielions.org/projects-and-events/car-on-the-ice/

The northern bay, with the Solarbee, as well as the western roadside bay, all winter didn't have any ice fishing occurring.  I find this interesting, does this mean the ice is questionable or is there simply not good fishing here?

It is really interesting watching the sun angles and color of the ice in this northern bay right now.   It has very interesting discolorations and I wonder if this is simply how the sun's angle is starting to warm the surface of the ice or if the water underneath is staying warmer?