Water levels???

[sparkyaber]

With all of the recent rain fall, what will be the effects on the lakes? I was at Mille Lacs a few weeks back, and it was down a ton, is there even a public access that is still useable? There are many other lakes in the same situation. A few that stick to my mind, (ones with relatives, or on the news) Sturgeon Lake, Rush Lake (chisago county) and the big daddy Superior. How much rainy wetness do we need? My opinion is it will take many years not just one wet fall to remedy this situation. Anyone with some scientific knowledge, or first had experience with this situation would be greatly appriciated.

All others welcome as maybe a lively discussion will follow.

[Valv]

I was watching some reports and amazingly a smaller middle section of MN is still under a moderate drought condition.

Everywhere else it's way above the normality, or as many know under flooding conditions. I don't think there's an actual explanation but somebody might be able to explain how long it will take to reach normal levels

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'm no genious by any stretch, but my thinking is that is has to be good, at least for the short term, to get a decent water level in the lakes and rivers.

[harvey lee]

Doesnt hurt my trees and shrubs either. Great rain before freeze up. I planted these trees and shrubs 4 years ago and every year I need to water the heck out of them in the fall and almost lost two of them the past two years. I would say I'm good to go now.

[Scott K]

My inlaws cabin in Wisconsin is on a small 100 acre or less lake, it has dropped a good 10 ft over the last 7 years. I dont forsee it getting back to normal conditions in a short term. What it needs is some good heavy snow fall winters to bring them back to normal. I would guess a minimum of 5-7 years of above normal snow fall, and wet summers.

[Ralph Wiggum]

My new backyard is loving it, too

[Capt. Don*]

Looking out the window at my boat dock on Grand Portage Bay, Superior has come up about 8 inches this month for a total rise of about 14 inches since April. The rivers are running faster and higher than they have in a year and it is still raining. I'm leaving today to hunt for 10 days and then back up here to net herring for the month of November, hopefully by then the wind will have let up and the waves will drop below 6 feet. We still need another two feet to get to back to normal in the bay.

[JustinG]

Well, the lakes up in this part of the state were at their lowest levels up here in over 50 years this past summer. Right now they are at their HIGHEST levels ever! The swamps are brimming full and small streams are running like mad torrents. I have never seen lake levels rebound this fast!!!! After seeing the lakes as low as they were this summer, I never would have thought they could bounce back in a month and a half!!! Going to be some high water next spring, thats for sure!!

Justin

[Valv]

...maybe we are going to become the land of 5,000 lakes....

I know who has the answer for all this : Al Gore

[tv4fish]

Well, sure glad SOME of the lakes have come back !! I can assure you that Mille Lacs has NOT. We live on the north shore close to the "Red Door" resort. The water level is still over 2 feet lower than normal. We need a LOT of rain or a huge amount of snow to bring this thing back by next Spring

[Scott K]

At my cabin in north west Wisconsin, the swamp and bog area has water in it for the first time in 4 years. Im glad, it was getting real dry.