Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Flooding What Is The Real Story??
|
Author | Message Text | ||
walleyejunky |
I'd be more worried about the "WIND" if I was there. But I'm never going back because of it!!!!!!!!!!! |
||
lindylair |
|
||
A1t2o |
I'm thinking that many of the dangerous conditions are going to go away with the ice dams. Not completely, but the water level should drop a bit once all the ice is done melting and the ground thaws. For your trip, I don't think that there should be anything to worry about except for river routes. Moving water is the main concern with flooding. |
||
OldTripper |
Guest Paddler: "Just saw this video posted on FB: Yep, I was going to post this video for the OP as well. Hard to speculate what this creek crossing will look like in two weeks though. Since other posts had stated that water levels have gone down several inches while they were on their trips I'd guess that this creek crossing would have less water flow in two weeks also. Facebook link |
||
IdealTarHeel |
In my opinion (while, I am not insulting Snowbank) its a good lake to have in the rear view. I couldn't get a permit for Snowbank when I first tried, so I grabbed one for Slim. After which I quickly learned, from other participants of BWCA message board, that Slim and the 3 lakes that you can portage from Slim, are weak at best. ------A SIDE STORY----- Last year I messed up and grabbed a permit for Snowbank Restricted (it wasn't until the AWESOME PEOPLE at Piragis told me - the day before put in - of my boneheaded mistake) they helped me and the 5 others I was with, find an alternative. I don't remember exactly but I think our put in was Burntside, and after a few portages one of which was a MASSIVE PORTAGE we set up on Comings Lake. ---- END OF SIDE STORY----- Anyway I was messing around looking for a different permit and BOOM a Snowbank popped up, there were NO permits for Snowbank the 2 or 3 weeks prior to my getting one that day. I AM ONE HAPPY SON OF A GUN. So now we are all excited about our new Entry Point. I just wanted to confirm that nothing REALLY BAD was going on in the Snowbank lake region of the BWCA. All that being said, what lake(s) does anyone out there recommend, that is accessible from Snowbank and any number of portages (we truly don't mind portaging) for good fishing. Walley and Northern are my son's dream come true. And that is all this dad cares about!!!! |
||
cburton103 |
Check out Hatchet Lake just west of Thomas if you like walleye. Only two campsites on the lake, so make sure you plan to get there early enough in the day to have time for a plan B if they're both taken. If you get a site though, the walleye fishing is supposed to be pretty good, and most people just paddle through the creek on the way to Thomas and don't spend any time on Hatchet. |
||
PeaceFrog |
lindylair: "Went up on 5/22 and just returned today. Water levels were crazy high on the way up. Stopped by the Cross River and the volume of water and power of that flow was incredible. However water levels have receded a LOT in a week. The Cross River on the way back, while still flowing well was more like high spring normal. Despite receiving an all day rain on Tuesday and more rain today I think most trips will be fine with common sense and vigilance. It's no longer historic flooding, just very high water." Thanks for the update |
||
walleyejunky |
Thanks! |
||
nctry |
|
||
BassmasterP |
All that said, I understand that a trip into the BWCA or "the Q" means something different to everyone and so perhaps high water is enough of a reason for some to postpone their trip. For us, we've chosen viewed it as an OPPORTUNITY to experience the park in a different state and we are look forward to mucking through! Peace to all! P |
||
IdealTarHeel |
How will the flooding affect my trip? What should I be prepared to face? |
||
Jackfish |
|
||
BassmasterP |
Anyway... That's the real story, I think. It's a different situation up there right now - but it's not a really bad situation. The water's cold, paddle close to shore. It could get really windy, when could it not? The bugs could be really bad, or not at all. I could have just said what our moderator said, "Go, enjoy yourself." but I'll preface it with a reassuring..."There's some stuff to be aware of, but nothing to be overly concerned about. Go, enjoy yourself" :) |
||
IdealTarHeel |
I believe it is always better to tell someone to use caution |
||
Speckled |
Rivers - I've avoided them so far, but I'd say the same applies. Take it slow - don't force it and be very aware of what you're paddling into. The current is stronger than it looks. BW is not flooded - it's just high water. |
||
ockycamper |
Is flooding an issue right now? Of course it is . . . just read the posts. Are bugs an issue? if not now they will be soon. For many (our groups included) "enjoy yourself" means no bugs, no flooding, no people. So we moved to late September. Many just ask if there is a better time for bugs/flooding/people/fishing, etc. Those of us that have been up there for many years know that in "most" seasons, yes, there is a better time depending on what factors you are looking for. "just go and enjoy yourself" doesn't answer the question for those truly looking for a BWCA experience with or without one of those factors |
||
Jackfish |
ockycamper: "I apologize. I took his post as asking if he should reschedule, which is a legitimate question giving the flooding." No worries... all good. |
||
Jackfish |
|
||
IdealTarHeel |
As far as the other things listed this is my thought on each of them: Wind – scary and respected Lightning – get off the water Bugs -- Plan for them, do your best. That’s all you can do. Wildlife – Protect yourself by not enticing them Bad Weather -- prepare your best and pray for the rest Bad Fishing -- too bad, so sad Floods – Educate and be ready to evacuate --> That is what I am trying to do today |
||
ockycamper |
|
||
dogwoodgirl |
BassmasterP: "" My favorite depiction is "Knee high Mud". Ha. No one's portaging through knee high mud...that's preposterous. ...pretty close though, LOL! |
||
HayRiverDrifter |
The BWCA is a huge watershed. There is a lot of water but it is spread out over a large area. It sounds like water levels over the entire area are up several feet which means much more moving water between lakes. If the portages that you will be taking are along a stream between lakes, that portage may be partially flooded. One concern which you will be familiar with living along the Mississippi is areas of churning water. It will kick the canoe around and knock you off balance and possibly make you capsize. It's a bit different from wind. You will feel it in your butt. The canoe will get squirrely and feel unstable. Another concern is faster moving water coming into a portage, or leaving a portage. On a normal year, there is very little to be concerned with except large falls like Lower Basswood or Curtain falls. Just use your ears. If you hear lots of water approach or proceed with caution. |
||
Guest Paddler |
https://youtu.be/C4_RsRSkGIQ |
||
Snorty |
|
||
walleyejunky |
That being said I have had amazing fishing on Disappointment for Walleyes, Northerns, and Smallmouth. In fact, within one hour of each other I caught a 43" Pike, a 20" smallmouth, and a 28" walleye. All my personal BWCA best for each species. I know everyone has their own agenda for a trip but I always talk about it with our group how much GOOD water people paddle over to get to other lakes when traveling thru Disappointment. I would have to think with the late winter and high water walleyes will be very easy to catch if you concentrate on shallow water with leeches. That would be where I would start. |
||
Zanzinger |
|
||
Gadfly |
Jackfish: "Not trying to be snarky here, but what answers are you looking for? Are you going to cancel your trip? Replace the word "flooding" with "mosquitos". Same thing. Just go and enjoy yourself." Imagine someone asking how they should prepare for possible flooding on the trip planning forum and getting a response from a moderator like this. why even bother having a trip planning forum. Just go and enjoy your self... |
||
ockycamper |
|
||
Jackfish |
|