In certain places, there are tree stumps rising above water level. When you look at those stumps, you can see that their base may be 10 or more feet below water level. That means, I think, that the water was that low at one time...and was low for a considerable amount of time.

In particular, Birch lake as you approach the portage toward Knife.

Can anyone shed some light on the history of water levels?

Dams. There were many dams, mostly for logging. There still are maybe a dozen dams and there remains. Birch lake - Prairie Portage. Prairie Portage dam built around 1903 and rebuilt in the mid 70s.


JIM

Thanks!

As soon as you mentioned and submerged stumps and before you mentioned Birch, that’s the lake I thought of. I noticed it in the bay behind or campsite. I think we were on the 4 th one or so from the western portage on the south side of Birch. I was wondering the same thing as you.

Goldenbadger: "As soon as you mentioned and submerged stumps and before you mentioned Birch, that’s the lake I thought of. I noticed it in the bay behind or campsite. I think we were on the 4 th one or so from the western portage on the south side of Birch. I was wondering the same thing as you. "

Precisely. That is a nasty area. I stayed on Birch in the center campsite in Sep. Been there many times actually. Paddled over by that portage and saw the stump graveyard.

It also happens periodically from beaver dams. I've paddled through some magical, watery forests thanks to a beaver being industrious. And in one case the next year that watery forest was an awful mudpit because the dam had failed.

Piers, bridges, log boom anchor points... lots of lumbering activity took place that left behind numerous pilings. Can be a bit dangerous if you don't pay attention while paddling.

Basswood Lake

TuscaroraBorealis: " Basswood Lake"

Wow

TuscaroraBorealis: " Basswood Lake"

That looks fishy (pun intended). I want to toss a lure right off the bow!

Tony

TuscaroraBorealis: " Basswood Lake"

Saw some similar structures on the North Kawishiwi River in 2017.

TuscaroraBorealis: " Basswood Lake"

I always thought those were from an old logging structure. I could certainly be wrong though.

This picture looks out to where TuscaroraBorealis' photo was from I believe. I think those posts (not trees) were from a dock leading up to the railroad. Right?
Four Mile Portage

Edit:
Four Mile Portage. For those of you unfamiliar with this portage, It was originally a railroad track linking Fall Lake and Hoist Bay of Basswood Lake. It served as a transport for the logging industry many years ago. It was later used as a truck portage for campers and residents of Basswood lake. In the 1990's, the truck portage was closed and what was once a wide gravel road has now grown back to a narrow walking path. Due to the distance of the portage, mechanized wheels are allowed to transport boats and canoes.
Source

schweady: "Piers, bridges, log boom anchor points... lots of lumbering activity took place that left behind numerous pilings. Can be a bit dangerous if you don't pay attention while paddling.
"

Yep... almost impaled our canoe on a spike...

dr bob

Yes the dock on Hoist Bay of Basswood was for the lumber train. There was a steam operated hoist that would lift the logs out of the water onto the train. It was like a large chain conveyor belt. The steam engine is still in the bay. Some think the steam engine in the bay was from a train, but no.