Seen Around Birch Lake

Winter is wonderful on Birch Lake.  From migrating birds to enjoying fun on the ice.  Here are some photos of winter activity.

Snow Bear

Duck Duck Snow Goose

Best Hockey Rink

Currents

The BLID installed an aerator in 2002 after a severe winter fish kill.  The purpose of the aerator is to oxygenate the water during the winter to ensure that the fish don’t suffocate from lack of oxygen in the water. 

I always thought that shallow lakes would freeze out when the ice got so thick that there was not enough water left.  That was what killed the fish.  In researching the aerator, I leaned that the real cause is lack of sunlight.  A high snowfall winter is actually more dangerous than a cold low snow winter.  Here is why.  Birch Lake is weedy.  Weeds grow all year long including the winter.  If the weeds have enough sunlight, they grow and produce oxygen.  If the snow and ice get too thick, the sunlight is blocked.  Instead of growing and creating oxygen, the weeds die, rot, and consume oxygen.

So, how effective can an aerator be if Birch Lake is 100 acres and the aerator keeps less than ¼ acre open and oxygenated?  I discussed this with fishing pro and naturalist Larry Dahlberg, the host of Hunt for Big Fish on the Outdoor Channel.   

http://outdoorchannel.com/the-hunt-for-big-fish    

Larry explained that the aerator would only save the fish within a certain radius of the aerator.  It would ensure that some fish survive and be a spawning stock for the fish population to recover - unless there was a current in the lake.  A current would move the water and carry the oxygen across a larger portion of the lake.

I always wondered if there were still currents in the lake.  Most of the natural water flow was cut off when the construction of Highway 96 separated Birch Lake from the water inflow on the south side.  The construction of North Birch Lake Blvd. cut off the out flow on the north side.

This winter I was able to observe something interesting.  The mild winter and low snowfall has made it easier to see where currents are be operating.   The first thing I noticed is that there is a line of melting snow that stretches from the culvert on North Birch Lake Blvd. to the aerator.

Here is an areal view from over the aerator.  You can actually see the flow lines.

Looking north from the aerator you can see the flow to the culvert on North Birch Lake Blvd.

The flow goes directly to North Birch Lake Blvd.  Sure enough, the water was flowing out of the culvert to the Rotary wetlands.

I also noticed that much of the shoreline adjacent to the Rotary Park wetland was full of water.  The culvert opening is small in comparison to the volume of water attempting to get out.  I began to wonder if the water is flowing out by seeping through the fill of the road. 

On my way over to the culvert I noticed something odd.  There is an in-flow of water from a sping at the Cloisters.  There is a current line from the cloisters to the aerator!

 The following picture is taken from the Cloisters facing south toward the aerator.

 

The last question that came to mind was why would the flow run through the aerator?  The aerator may act as a breather for water movement.  Have you ever poured gas into your lawnmower without opening the breather on the gas can?  The gas does not flow.  When you open the breather it clears the vaacum and lets the gas flow.  I think the opening in the lake caused by the aerator is like a breather.  The ice is putting pressure on the lake.  The water wants to flow out but can’t.  The aerator releases the vacuum and allows the water to flow.

What do you think?

Boat Launch and Removal to Open for Birch Lake Homeowners

The launch site that was developed to provide access for the weed harvester will be opened for homeowners for a spring launch and fall take out.

The spring date has been set to coincide with the lake cleanup day, Saturday May 7, 2016.  Lake cleanup will take place from 9:00 AM until noon.  The boat access will be opened from noon until 3:00 PM. 

Homeowners are welcome to launch their boat.  The access is level and has concrete into the water.  No more risk of getting stuck!

Owners are reminded to observe the DNR week control rules.  There will be an inspector present.

Boaters are required to complete three main actions before leaving the access or riparian property.

1.     Clean off the boat by removing all plants, mud, debris and organisms from the exterior and interior of the boat (including angling equipment and the anchor).

2.     Drain all water from the boat and other water related equipment, including bait water.

3.     Pull the plug (it must remain out during transport)

Please make sure that your boat is clean and dry to help ensure that no invasive species are introduced into the lake.  Also make sure you pull the plug before you transport the boat. 

The boat launch is located on South Birch Lake Blvd. near the Otter Lake Rd. intersection.

2016 BLID Calendar

February

02-17-16 -- Quarterly board meeting

April

04-20-16 -- Spring Board meeting

May

05-07-16 – Lake Clean Up and Boat Launch Day

June
06-01-16 -- Quarterly board meeting (first Wednesday in June)
06-15-16 -- Annual meeting (third Wednesday in June)

August

08-17-16 – August Board meeting

September

09-14-16 -- Quarterly board meeting (third Wednesday in September)

November

11-02-16 – Quarterly board meeting (first Wednesday in November)