Author: lacdesroches

The forest fire southeast of Lac des Roches on July 27 was just a few wisps of smoke when it was reported to the wildfire hot line. By noon, the strong westerly winds had fanned the fire and huge plumes of smoke had many residents on edge. The day before, the wind changed from westerly to easterly and a repeat of this was a major concern for area residents. It was a stressful day as several neighbours checked their water pumps and hoses and topped up fuel cans and water storage tanks. Shortly after lunch, the spotter plane circled the area and water bombers began attacking the fire mid-afternoon. There was a rumour of a second fire near Machete Lake, but it was the same fire, burning eight kilometres north of Akehurst Lake, approximately one quarter of the distance between Lac des Roches and Barrier — as the crow flies. By early evening, the billowing smoke had stopped, to the relief of many residents. The website, www.bcwildfire.ca, indicated the lightning-sparked fire was estimated at 60 hectares and was 100 per cent contained. Thanks go out to all the residents who reported the fire and the quick responding fire suppression team. Since we are surrounded by crown land forests we all need to watch out for fires, each other and take precautionary steps to protect property from fire.

Heat takes its toll

The heat wave has had an impact on surface water all around Lac des Roches. Several of the smaller feeder creeks are dry. Since the lake is substantially fed by underwater springs, reduced stream flow into the lake has a minimal effect on the lake’s water level. The level is slowly dropping, mostly due to evaporation, but is still relatively high compared to other years due to the cool spring. Lake water temperature is very comfortable for swimming and water sports but it still has a high altitude chill to it that is invigorating. For those swimmers who prefer a warmer, bathtub-like swimming temperature, warmer water can be found in the few shallow and wind-sheltered bays around the unpopulated shores of the lake.

Speakers

Thank you to the Friends of Bridge Lake for hosting its summer speaker series at the Bridge Lake School. These free, weekly, hour-long sessions have been informative and entertaining and a great way to learn what concerns the neighbours. There are only two more sessions, Aug. 6 and 13, until next year’s line-up and I am sure residents who attend will be glad they did!

Berry crop

Last week, the first Saskatoon berries were ready for picking. This year’s early rain and late heat provided the optimum growing conditions because the crop is fantastic this year. We have learned to pick when you see them since waiting, even a day, is enough time for the competition to strip the limbs of their juicy clusters. Many birds, particularly crows and cedar waxwings, have always taken — what I thought was — more than their fair share, and when the bear moves through for a day, the berries are gone and the trees are damaged. I didn’t expect to see our resident pair of does nibbling on the bushes, but they were, so add them to the culprit list. And, although it seemed that training our dog to eat blackberries of the bushes on the Langley dikes was a harmless idea at the time, she now helps herself to what I think rightfully belongs in my bran muffins and flax pancakes! How do I tell her no?

As cleanup from the June 17 windstorm — possible tornado — winds down, the sound of chainsaws is being replaced with the more summer-like sounds of our diversified group of song birds and their noisy relatives, hungry crows. The sound of rustling tree leaves and wind chimes are often sporadic and faint as their sound is carried off by our welcome summer breezes. The one sound that is unmistakable is that of the area lawnmowers. Whether mowing a new lawn, or a field that has been infiltrated with burrowing critters, there is no sound that make a person flinch quicker than the grating sound of the blades of a lawnmower raking over unexpected rocks, gravel or freshly mounded hills of dirt – thanks to those pesky gophers. As one neighbour put it, they are not lawnmowers at all, they are land levelers!

It’s twins!

After reading about all the baby critters around the lake, a neighbour pointed out that in the wild, twins are predominant. She went on to list her sighting of two fawns; two bear cubs; two baby grebes; two Bonaparte Gull fledglings; and two baby loons. Wow, that’s just what she saw in a week!

Friends are active

Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, the area lake stewardship society, has a very busy executive this summer. In addition to annual lake quality monitoring, loon surveys and Bird Atlassing work, the group of volunteers is working on a few extra projects this summer. Fishing results reports (known as Creel Reports) and fresh water mussel shells are being collected for several branches of the Ministry of Environment for future analysis of the health of the lake and the stocking program. Land-use feedback —as it relates to forestry practices – has been generated by the society, for submission to the Integrated Land Management Bureau. Details of the group’s activities are posted on their website, www.lacdesroches.org.

Ever-changing

Local roads were graded at the beginning of July, making a pretty dusty weekend for many of the visitors and residents. The truck spreading dust suppression chemical was a welcome sight the following week and, for a change from last year, it did not rain immediately afterwards and wash the chemical away!Lac des Roches is experiencing a relatively high water level for July. Shallow areas are filling with this year’s growth of bull rushes and yellow pond lily, favourite feeding spots for many water critters. An algae bloom in the lake has been collecting at the surface where the yellow and brown globs are blown into quiet bays. This unsightly growth is natural for the lake but serves as a visual reminder that local health authorities recommend filtering all surface water, even that from a healthy and large lake like Lac des Roches, prior to domestic use.The abundant
dandelions that filled the surrounding fields in early summer have been replaced with dozens of different multi-coloured flowering plants and sweet-smelling clover. The huge cow parsnip plants are in bloom and some of the thistles are at eye-level, although their showy purple blooms have yet to appear. The ground around the stands of cottonwood trees is covered with the white fluffy seed pods that give the tree its name. These pods are so big and heavy this year, they are barely taking to the air and are littered all around the base of the trees. One caused quite a scene in the forest last week when it surprised our little cat by landing on her back during our morning walk!

The shores of Lac des Roches have turned into a nursery over the last month; there are baby critters everywhere! While there are thousands of tadpoles and little swimmers in the lake, the grassy slopes are filled with field mice nests, attracting several coyotes that, presumably, have their young hidden away in the same field. Any day we will enjoy watching the playful antics of the young gophers from our deck, although, perhaps, we’ll be wishing they were somewhere other than on our patch of groomed lawn. A nest of baby crows went down with a tree in the wind storm of June 17, but they miraculously survived and are still being fed by their well-providing parents who are forever gathering worms from the area lawns. A group of mallard ducklings were observed climbing onto the shore where they promptly cuddled together and made a feather nest out of themselves for an afternoon nap, under the watchful eye of their mother. We have been watching a pair of adult swallows feeding a nest of babies and wonder, how do they still warble away to each other with theirs beaks so full of food? This is a good time to remind residents that babies in the wild should be left alone. It is not uncommon for a fawn to be left unattended or a fledgling that falls from its nest to appear abandoned. Parents do return to their young. These behaviors are all part of their process of teaching the young how to survive in the wild and it is best for us to let nature take its course and to not interfere.

New loons

The loon articles in the Cariboo Connector on June 26 were very timely as there is considerable excitement among the residents over the chicks that emerged from the loon nests the same week on both the big and little lakes. One resident watched a coyote rummaging around one nest within hours of being vacated, so their timing couldn’t have been better. Although the chicks have found a temporary safe haven on the backs of their parents, their survival depends on a number of factors, largely the avoidance of natural predators and inadvertent disturbance by unwary lake users. Using safe boating techniques and keeping our distance from loons and their young are the best ways we can contribute to the survival of the chicks.

Rodeo

It was nice to see so many Lac des Roches residents at the Bridge Lake Stampede on June 27. As volunteers, participants and spectators, the involvement of the local community is, no doubt, key to the success of this annual event. Congratulations are sent to the rodeo committee for a job well done and thanks to all the residents for their support.

Goings on…

The rain in late June has prompted the wildflowers to instantly appear in the fields around the lake. We are enjoying a colourful display of orange and black tiger lilies, purple lupine, red and yellow columbine, crimson and pink paintbrush and pink wild roses, to name just a few. The wonderful smells that emit from these flowers are one of the best parts of summer. Beavers have been working their way along the shore, taking down small willow and alder trees in their path. I am sorry to report the cedar waxwings have been observed scouting out the area Saskatoon bushes, which are stuffed with green berries, just waiting for some warmer weather to mature into a feast for those hungry birds, and the rest of us, we hope!

The month of June has been filled with several extreme weather-related events. Starting on June 3, a resident witnessed a mini tornado touch down on the surface of Little Lac des Roches and travel toward cabins on the north shore. During its short, 15-second life, it managed to dislodge and damage one wharf and toss the debris up on to the banks before it dissipated. One of the daily thunder and lightning storms throughout the last two weeks started a small fire in the hills east of Lac des Roches on June 11 but the subsequent downpour doused the fire the same afternoon. Finally, the mini hurricane that blew through on the afternoon of June 17 was extraordinary. The 10-minute windstorm uprooted and snapped off trees in its path and caused significant damage to several properties and downed power lines to several homes. Tree cleanup will be a summer project for several residents!

Boaters

Some boaters don’t respect the Universal Shoreline Speed Restriction of 10 km/hr within 30 meters of the shore, and are churning up the sensitive substrate as well as the moods of local residents. Speed restriction and wake reduction rules are in place to protect sensitive wildlife habitat, shoreline integrity and personal property. Although Lac des Roches is a relatively narrow lake, it can support boaters looking for water sport recreation requiring speed or large boat wakes, but only in the deepest waters, far from shorelines, in the middle of the lake. The big lake has an excellent public boat launch, Access #7, with parking for vehicles and boat trailers at the very west end of the lake. Enjoy the lake, but please be kind to it!

Rare tree blooms

Gordon Coyle was kind enough to invite me to take a look at his cherry blossom tree last week. The tree, which was planted about 15 years ago from a seedling brought from Saskatchewan, produces beautiful pink and crimson blooms every June. The miniature cherries that follow the blooms are purely decorative but probably an exotic delicacy for local birds. Although the tree is hidden from McCarthy Road by Gordon’s house, there is a small break in the shoreline trees, which provides a wonderful view of the tree from the water — if you are watching for it. The tree was filled with bumble bees, busy pollinating the sweet-smelling blossoms. While not unique to the Cariboo, Japanese cherry blossom trees are uncommon and, if there area any others at Lac des Roches, they are a well-kept secret, much like Gordon’s tree was!

Nature’s busy

Rhubarb plants are shooting up their seed stalks although there is still plenty of rhubarb to harvest. The hatch of mayflies commenced their acrobatic sky-jumping act mid June. The aspen leaf miner returned and its tell-tale sign of silver trails are on the tree leaves everywhere. The Saskatoon bushes displayed a healthy show of white blooms thanks to the warm temperatures in May and June and have now been replaced with, what looks like will be, a huge crop of berries this year, enough for both the hungry cedar waxwings and us – we hope. Two different families of bears with cubs have been spotted near the lake and an unmistakable bear sign has been found on Eagle Island Road, at the east end of the lake, along with the sighting of a lone cougar. Loons are still tending their nest on the south shore of the little lake but a pair lost its nest to waves on the big lake.

As mentioned in my last column, the high spring water level on Lac des Roches has resulted in large volumes of debris. Several residents have commented that there is a substantial amount of garbage, or unidentified floating objects (UFOs), also on the lake. Styrofoam, plastic drinking bottles, plastic bags, potato chip bags and toys are the most common articles collected from the water. No doubt the unpredictable wind gusts are the culprit as they will blow anything light and loose from around a cabin and often deposit them into the lake. Residents and visitors are reminded to be careful with refuse to prevent it from ending up in the lake and becoming a hazard, not to mention an eye-sore, to lake users and wildlife. If garbage is encountered on the lake or lakeshore, retrieve it if possible and dispose of it properly. Everyone’s help is appreciated.

History

While so much is changing regarding weather patterns and the environment, I thought it would be beneficial to provide a short report on the highlights of area nature events, especially during spring when there is so much going on. Here’s what was observed last week: Rhubarb is ready for picking, eating and freezing. Dandelions are thriving in the fields and attracting the ever-popular pollinating bumble bees. The blooms came out on all the Saskatoon bushes. All aspen groves now have unfurled leaves, still green with little sign of the aspen leaf miner that turns the leaves silver. The chironomid hatch has the air above the shoreline thick with tasty food for the many birds. The yellow pollen from the trees was everywhere, especially on the lake surface where it collects in swirls and streamers resembling modern art. Mosquitoes were present in the early mornings and evenings but the hot dry air during the day gave substantial relief from the pesky critters — if you could stand the heat outdoors!

Spring excursions

Local resident Wendy Marshall has been busy hosting events for two of her many passions. On May 25, she welcomed an early morning group to the lake for a bird observation walk which was highlighted by viewing a bald eagle’s nest which contains two eaglets this year. On May 30, Wendy shared her many decades of Cariboo gardening experiences to a crowd of interested and would be vegetable and flower gardeners. Thanks to Wendy, for sharing her experience, enthusiasm and wit with all of us.

Truck and trains

There seems to have been a recent increase in freight truck traffic on Highway 24. It seems that since the May temporary closure of Highway 97, due to the 70 Mile House forest fire, the redirected drivers may have found that Highway 24 is a more desirable route for hauling freight, despite the 10 km hill between Lac des Roches and Little Fort. On the topic of freight trucks, what a startling experience to hear the toot of a train’s horn now that the windows are kept open after dark. It seems that one — perhaps several — freight trucks have installed horns that mimic the distinct sound of a train horn often used at railway crossings. Presumably, these blasts along the highway are keeping the wildlife out of harms way at several wildlife highway crossings.

Kept informed

Local community group Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake has published its annual community newsletter. Full of information on the society’s work and the Lac des Roches watershed, readers can view the online version at www.lacdesroches.org.

A little fire preventive grass burning and raking this spring served as a sad reminder of the hazards we humans have created for our pets and wildlife over the years. In the grassy fields overlooking Lac des Roches and near existing range fencing, we have discovered more abandoned barbed wire from when the area was an active cattle ranch. Where road construction has covered up old fencing wire, we can only cut the exposed portions and leave the buried wire. Where coils and coils of wire are hidden just under the surface, a little time spent pulling and digging will usually free the wire from the roots and dirt. New and old fence locations are likely spots where used wire may be a hazard but on several occasions, old coils must have bounced off the back of vehicles or wagons as the wire can be found in very unlikely spots like in the middle of a grass field. My only advice is that when trekkers feel a tug at their legs when walking in ranching and grazing country, check that it is not abandoned wire on the ground. If it is, do your best to remove the wire for the safety of others, human and animal.

Boaters watch out

Official ice-off on Lac des Roches was May 5 on the little lake and May 10 on the big lake. Unlike some years, when the ice will break up and disappear within hours, the ice took several days to clear out of the east end and the narrows of the big lake as the ice was partially protected from the predominant strong winds from the east. Despite the frigid lake temperatures, both a wake boarder and a jet skier were observed for a short time on the lake during the May long weekend. Brrr. One hazardous log was spotted floating on the big lake during the May long weekend. As the lake level is still rising, boaters must use caution as debris will likely be dislodged from the shores until the end of May, increasing the risk of floating hazards.

Power losses

The unexpected hydro power outage affecting our area for much of a day in early May prompts me to remind residents — especially those living where we are, at the "end of the line" — rural customers should report all power outages. BC Hydro monitors trouble calls but a single caller who cannot confirm that the problem is isolated to one facility will not prompt the dispatch of an investigation crew. With so few residents occupying their homes during the day in the non-summer months, it can be difficult to confirm power outages with neighbours. If residents in remote areas experience a power outage, please report it to 1-888-769-3766.

Wildlife

Buds have just begun to appear on the bushes and trees in the area, signifying the return of the food source for some of our favourite animals. Sightings of deer have been scarce, but they are slowly making their presence known feeding on the sides of the highway and leaving their footprints in the dust and mud. Although I have heard no reports of bear around the lake yet, there has been unmistakable fresh bear sign observed in the surrounding hills. It is time for walkers and hikers to strap on their bear bells and be extra alert to their surroundings when enjoying the great outdoors.

As mentioned by my colleagues in many of the columns for the surrounding Cariboo communities, our transition to spring seems to be marked mainly by the ice off the lakes and the returning song birds and waterfowl. Lac des Roches is no exception and, within a week of open water along the shoreline in early May, the loons had returned. Their distinctive call one early morning was enough to stop me in my tracks and trigger a number of emails and phone calls between the many local bird enthusiasts. My personal favourite, the hummingbirds, also returned last week. With a few cold nights still in the forecast, thank goodness the high sugar content of the nectar mixture will prevent the many feeders in our yard from freezing.

Exiting ice

We never tire of watching the ice leave the lake in the spring as it seems that no two years are ever alike. This year, the fierce wind storms in early May broke the ice up earlier than most people were expecting. With the “rotten” ice covering most of the lake’s surface, there was little chance of damage to docks and shorelines as we have seen in the years where the ice moved around the lake in one or two solid sheets. Once the ice starts to move around the lake with the shifting winds, it is usually only a few days before the ice disappears into the water. The ice left Little Lac des Roches on May 5. In all likelihood, the ice on the big lake would follow in five to seven days following (after the deadline for this column). Unlike last year, the many visitors to the lake on the upcoming May long weekend will be able to enjoy some ice-free water play and fishing.

Lakes watching

Wendy Marshall has confirmed that several resident volunteers will be monitoring the lake quality this season at all four major lakes in the watershed. Under the direction and guidelines of the BC Lake Stewardship Society and the Ministry of Environment out of Kamloops, information will once again be collected for Little Lac des Roches, Lac des Roches, Birch and Phinetta lakes. This year, the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey work for Bird Studies Canada will be expanded to include the nesting loons at Phinetta Lake. The breeding success of loons is an indicator of the health of freshwater lakes and has been in place in Canada since its initiation in Ontario in 1981.

This area rocks!

“Which of you kids planted rock seeds last fall?” That was the question posed to a friend growing up on a farm in northern BC by her father, and it applies to newly cleared land everywhere. As the frost comes out of the ground every year, it will push rocks from just under the surface, upward, and expose them. In the warm weather of spring, these rocks seem to “grow” over night. Year after year, land owners will be in their fields, prying out these sprouting rocks, previously hidden under the surface. This is an annual task on our southern slope as we keep the natural grass mowed for fire prevention and pest control. Since we have been at this for four years now, I wonder if we have more than our fair share of growing rocks since we live at Lac des Roches, translated as Lake of Rocks!

Depending on where exactly you live at Lac des Roches, your senses are being bombarded with the many signs of spring. Close to Highway 24, we see the returning motor homes from the southern states and hear the many motorcycles offering their rider’s their first trips of the season. Along the south-facing slopes, the gophers have just appeared and the eagles and hawks are eagerly searching for the many burrowing rodents that have lost the snow as their safety protection. Near the seasonal creeks, the very rare sound of melt water is bubbling over the rocks and down little falls, making its way to the lake. The faint smell of wood heater smoke is supplemented with backyard burning of mostly tree limbs, brought down by the heavy ice and winter winds. Everyone can enjoy the thousands of geese, swans and cranes that are letting their presence be known as they fly and squawk overhead. In our house, we are anxious to complete the lingering winter projects so that we can move our efforts to the outdoors and enjoy the returning warmer weather and sunshine. With all this spring activity, it almost seems a shame that, despite spring just barely upon us, several neighbours are already thinking about fall and winter. They are taking advantage of the spring conditions to gather firewood for next year’s heating season as the warm and breezy days of spring and summer are just the right amount of time to season the beetle-killed pine for the coming winter, and, there are relatively no bothersome flies in the forest, yet!

Really quiet

Reporting in the April 1 column about the quiet spring break due to lack of visitors this year, one neighbour has responded with an observation of how quiet the lake itself has been this winter. She is quite correct; unlike previous winters, this year the lake was almost silent. Usually the cracking and shifting ice on the lake, especially when the temperatures drop so fast in the winter evenings, growls and warbles with eerie sounds. The snow and ice that collected on the lake ice may have prevented much of the cracking and served as a sound buffer for the noise we usually hear throughout the cold winter. This is probably another indicator of how long the ice will actually last this year.

Cleanup delayed

Lingering snow will delay the roadside cleanup. The designated week of April 20-26 was a little too early this year as eerie snow hoodoos (the formations of snow sculptures among the melting snow banks) still cover many of the ditches. Organized clean up will be scheduled sometime in early June.