Author: lacdesroches

The high and low temperature extremes have resulted in large cracks in the ice refreezing at night. The resulting expansion of the ice surface area on the big lake is having a destructive effect on all structures that are frozen in the ice. All around the lake, structures are being pushed into the shore by the power of tons of shifting ice. Many of the residents pull their docks out of the lake for the winter and they have little to worry about. Free-floating docks tied to the shore are normally safe from destructive ice, but this year, many of these docks are being pushed so hard into the shore, the wood is splintering on top and/or the plastic floats are being crushed by the pressure. Gangways are also susceptible to significant damage if they are not able to move freely, either by sliding on the dock or sliding on the shore.  One gangway attached securely to the shore at one end and hooked into the dock at the other, bent a little each day during the entire last week of February until the pressure finally snapped its 2×10 side boards. With so much ice frozen around the structures, there is little that can be done to mitigate further damage however residents have been able to move several small stored boats out of harms way in time to prevent damage to equipment.

Cold night temperatures have solidified the lake ice once again and the combination of a skiff of snow and frost has created just enough fluff on the ice to make Nordic or cross country skiing an enjoyable option as the winter winds down. On the big lake, the south shore is quite protected from the wind and probably provides the best skiing conditions with an even layer of snow. Everywhere else, where the ice surface is exposed to the winds from the north west or the south east, the ice is mottled with both clear ice and shallow snow drifts, making skiing a bit of a challenge. Enjoy the season while it lasts!

Although there have been fewer fishers out on the ice this winter due to the weather and ice conditions, there is evidence of successful burbot fishing at a few popular spots around the lake.  Burbot, a delectable tasting cod-like fish, spawns on the shallow gravel shows in late winter so are much easier to catch this time of year. They feed on the bottom of the lake and are attracted to jigging rigs of raw meat such as chicken or shrimp most notably in the dark hours. There is nothing quite as satisfying this time of year than sitting out on the ice, bundled up in one’s warmest clothing, jigging silently for burbot while enjoying a clear and starry night. If you are lucky, you will likely see several bright satellites during the evening and possibly even the International Space Station or northern lights. One caution… there is nothing colder than sitting still on the ice at night, so dress VERY warm and take a thermos of something that will be sure to heat your insides!

The Lac des Roches valley has resounded with “booms” and “kerflubs” from the ice for several days now.  Proof of the ice’s movement and resulting noise can be seen at certain spots along the shore.  This picture, taken Feb. 17, shows how the cracks in the ice allow the ice to shift and push up against rocks and structures at the lakes edge.  Later in the winter or spring, the shifting ice can become quite powerful and destructive and can bend steel supports and turn docks into rubble piles of used lumber.

 

What a day we enjoyed today, Feb 16 in our little corner of paradise. After two nights of welcome freezing temperatures, the refrozen lake ice cracked and boomed all day, a new experience and a very nice surprise for one set of seasonal residents just up for a few days. Those same noises caused considerable ruckus at our residence by two faithful watchdogs, who, unable to find the source of the unfamiliar noise, barked at it all day.  The sun popped in and out from behind the clouds all day, causing the temperature on the sunny side of the house to fluctuate between +3 and +9 C all day. The sun heated up the open grass patches in the fields and lawns all around the lake and they grew even larger, the snow is melting fast. What we thought would be the last event of the day was a beautiful fire-red sunset that lasted almost 30 minutes thanks to the many layer of wispy clouds over the western horizon of the Interior Plateau. But the evening was finally topped by the night’s blackness replaced by the bright flashing lights of a grader going up and down all the secondary roads around the lake. Considering the roads are almost 100% clear of ice and the plough’s berms have melted or evaporated away, it will be interesting to see the improvements of the gravel road in tomorrow’s light.

 

It is hard to know what to say about the lake ice as it changes almost daily. Large deep pools of water appeared last week that were spectacular to look at but likely sped up the melting process of the lake ice below. Low temperatures for the last two nights have refrozen the deep layer of water into soft ice. Skiing on the lake has been terrible, firstly due to lack of ice and then lack of snow, then too much water and now only bare ice. Nordic skating is out of the question due to uneven and rough ice as well as questionable thickness. Very few fishers have been out on the lake although there has been some action near the end of Boultbee Road and the west narrows of the big lake. Sledders are still using the lake to access trails but extreme caution is advised for ice travel. Most of the snow and ice bridges are weak or gone and sledders have found themselves in a lot of water. Sledding conditions further up the hills are reported as “good” but trailering is required since the access roads are bare after being plowed all winter. Road bans which have just been implemented will likely shut down the log hauling but service vehicles could still be traveling for a while.

 

The Lac des Roches ladies have continued their daily walks on Boultbee Road this winter. Although starting 5 weeks later than last year, some of the ladies are once again venturing out on their snowshoes for Sunday treks and picnics in the nearby hills. Despite mild temperatures, the ladies have found adequate snow on sled trails for enjoyable trekking. Regardless of snow conditions, the ladies plan to continue their weekly excursions all year round, converting to boot hikes when there is insufficient snow for snowshoes. All local ladies are welcome to join in on the fun. For the ladies who don’t walk, there is the opportunity to catch up on local news when the ladies get together on a regular basis for coffee and goodies after the noon walk.

 

Neither the British Columbia or Alberta holidays made much of an impact at the lake this year. Perhaps the new holiday just has not caught on yet, or word of the non-winter-like conditions kept visitors away but whatever it was, there were very few visitors to the lake for the first 2 weekends in February. Weird weather and winter conditions have impacted many of the activities normally enjoyed at the lake this time of year, both work and play…mostly play. Some of us hope to simply celebrate winter fun with our families a little later this winter and luckily, there are still enough days on the calendar to enjoy a family day weekend.

 

Throughout the fall and winter, there have been many stories about problem predators in nearby communities. Since early fall, critter sightings around Lac des Roches have been limited to otters and foxes however, prior to then, there were plenty of close encounters in our neighbourhoods with unfriendly wildlife and speculation that two wolves were residing in the hills north of Little Lac des Roches. In the last few months, residents have heard several sad stories of pets lost and nearly lost to aggressive cougars and our hearts go out to the families tragically affected by this uninvited wildlife.

 

Most of the metal roofs on structures around the lake have long since shed their winter snow and ice although there may be a few north-facing “valleys” not quite clear. Winter residents and daily walkers have not noticed any damage to vents or stays this year. Although winter may not be over, if the last snow fall was an indicator, the position of the sun this time of year has a tendency to melt the snow off the roofs rather quickly.