Just a nice morning.

A little more dry with less snow coverage ending March 2020.   A relatively great last couple weeks to really look at the ground forms without snow cover or any vegetation growth.  The Trimble building really pushed it to the maximum edge, much like the Trimble residence in Wakanda Shores did (and got a DNR citation for it) to maximize the nearness to the shore.   Of course, this slope was in that shape decades back and it does bring it back out from the vegetation that had grown up on it in the preceeding 50 years, it really stands out here where we can see the new rip-rap in preparation for the lake level raises.  

That's pretty cool.   

But what is the that maximum slope angle that will last long term?   The rumor was there was a lot of debris used for fill, such as old cars at in this area.  
Main street was pushed out over it a couple times and led to an expensive reconstruction.  For a wider street which further distances downtown away from the lake through the barrier of the speeding automobiles on the river of cars.

The concept of the lake trail or path that would extend from LaPointe park, or the old city pumphouse location, and wrap all the way to Point Comfort will likely not get around this section without considerable expense now.  The best feature would be a wharf or pier out in the water but the sheer expense for the benefit of the public is very unlikely.

With a large section of the old trail system from a hundred or so years ago reworked in some fashion, there are really only slivers of anything before 1957 that might still be worn into the hillside for that real authentic connection to that particular past.

And even that "rustic" past, when it was current, was actually built with a "rustic" style at the time they were new in many cases.

Like most springs into summer, below the water is very clear at Wolske Bay.  Above, Wilson Creek has more current this time of year that has a more clouded silted stream.

This dock configuration is nice, but it would be nice to see more improvements for shore fishing on the outer bay, or lake side, of the Wolske Bay park.

How to start an urban myth

A fun series of investigations into local Menomonie myths would be great, any and all of them.  It's already something the Mayor of Menomonie has done with Wolske Bay, you know, the originating location of all the algae in the world according to his "garage-logic" lake "fixing" schemes.

But we know better.   We know Wolske Bay is just a really cool creation that came to be back when big 1950's civic/ business leaders of Menomonie pushed for a bigger, deeper lake that resulted in the overdue replacement of the wood dam backing up the Red Cedar River at an increased head level.  (And the "algae" that  appeared here on Lake Menomin before was still there after.)

The neighboring park, Lakeside Park, site of the former waste water lagoon for Lange Canning Co. was built before the lake level was raised, and it did contain high-nutrient waste.  The area was low and some preparation barrier for increased river height was made.  

In fact, the smaller area closer to the roadway has always been absolutely boggling.  Well, actually, here's some  pictures from March 21, 2020.   Where the water from springs to the north is crystal clear, the lake water crystal clear, there is this:

Now, the condition of the water in this area is always cloudy but the aquatic vegetation that separates it from the bay at the southern tip of Lakeside park seems to always filter out whatever is causing the clarity of the water in this somewhat separated pond.   The T.M.L.I.A. does not seem interested in this pond nor does the Mayor of Menomonie.   I suppose, it doesn't really have a name, it can't get a scapegoated public image from the political podium of city hall.  No one is down there making up solutions or getting neighborhood petitions for the city to do anything about this little bay.  No "look at me" option for the big civic and business leaders downtown to get the press for.




Maybe now there will be a something to it.   The urban myth of lead paint under Menomonie's lakeside park may start now:



You can see how good the "telephone" game really is at relaying information on the internet and that your real memory is maybe not as good as you think it is.  To credit, there may be Lakeside Aluminum or Globe Iron Works waste, for instance, that had something going on that did get buried, but they located more were to the south,  to give some credit to the "paint plant" pollution angle.  Even without confirming the information about the wastewater in the settling lagoon, the lead paint image over the park "for the kids" is a rumor that can spread into other interesting stories from this point on.

And it will lead to further Lake Menomin pollution myths, such as the goose poop being the cause of it all. 
(No, seriously, talk to people when you're out and about starting in June and you will find someone who will blame ALL the green colorization of the lake on goose poop near the shores of the lake.)

No one talks about the massive hog pen near here that was around before any of this, though, do they?



We saw that with the "Kentucky Fried Chicken Siren" internet joke post that led to genuine rumors of a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise coming to Menomonie.
(Since edited to highlight this was a joke.)


The particular funny part is the same joker is also complaining about the lake causing a lack of tourism.   But maybe the complaining about the lack of tourism because of the lake is also a joke? 
"Peter Gruetzmacher, owner of the Silver Dollar and Jake’s Supper Club, said there are plenty of reason tourists should want to visit Menomonie, but tourists are turned off later in the summer when the lake turns green."
 Now, we know the "turned off" later in the summer reason but it is too bad the "plenty of reason tourists" should want to visit Menomonie were never listed.   

Ending winter, a nice day, a short walk

Just a little past the prime time to catch the land forms that you won't notice once the foliage springs to its seasonal form.   Should be the week to see the Lions Klunker go down, maybe even tomorrow.   Has this even ever been capture on film or video?

Do the car drivers on the bridge even notice it, or even look at the lake?

The water is open a little more from last week, with less snow and more gradual warming it will be interesting to see if there is a "main stream" or current in the reservoir.  Below, the point of land on the opposite bank is the LaPointe Park.  Since the second bridge (rail in view) was added the value of that park has slowly been lost. (somewhat stolen.)

The rail on the bridges are tall.   A fun way to interact with Menomonie is walking around downtown and on the trails, except due to the traffic volume (amount and sound).   A circle tour on the bridges taking in the dam side and lake side in one swoop is usually not as delightful as the edited commercial tourist shows broadcast.   It's a completely missed opportunity by the City of Menomonie, but then regular people are not usually given the opportunity to make a thing happen.   (And judging by the amount of litter and lack of consideration by some, why should the City do anything?)

Once the vegetation springs to life below this will be a fun view to snap a photo of. 

The largest "Wolske Bay" sign is the larger street sign

Menomonie Lakeside park is the repurposed Lange Canning Co. high-nutrient Waste Lagoon.

One of the most natural park settings at the confluence of Wilson Creek and the Red Cedar River is disrupted by the terminal ends of the Federal and State highways bridges that allow excessive speeds of motorists.  Walking across the south end of the bridges is more dangerous, especially with younger and less able people.  To cross from the upper part of La Pointe park to the Wilson Place Museum is only for the adventurous.   Sure, people could walk uphill a block and over the North Campus overpass, and back down, to cross another busy vehicle intersection.  Maybe this is why Wilson Place Mansion didn't get as many visitors since the mid-'90's?

The difference between the UW-Stout standard and the City of Menomonie standard is evident in this stretch of sidewalk.   Twisted concrete tripping hazards and ankle-snapping opportunities abound.   This isn't just a post-winter condition, either.  The chances of vehicles striking people are rather high at this intersection as red-light running is rather common.  If it were a Menomonie baseball field it would look like this at all.  

 Up above is a sampling on a light traffic Sunday morning.  Wolske Bay road sees a large amount of motorists speeding, robbing the enjoyment of a neighborhood walk routinely.  In the sample above is the curious case of Menomonie standards and sidewalks, even when the concrete was being replaced ( a couple years ago) and the traffic count here validates the city's own rules to have a sidewalk on the other side, none was placed there.  
The missed opportunity for trail bump-outs for the Junction to Stokke Trail connection on the old rail line were sadly not taken.    A three post red-reflector "gate" forces users of the Junction Trail onto questionable 1980's-era sidewalk.

Menomonie Public Library

Menomonie Purple Martin birdhouse

The "Milwaukee" rail line passed under here to the left lower corner on its way to Cedar Falls until 1902.