Lac des Roches Watershed Society
Environmental stewardship of our watershed
FreePress column Sharron Woloshyn
An avalanche in our terrain is a rare occurrence – thankfully – but recently, an avalanche fell near Lac des Roches and can be seen on
private land above Highway 24, just east of the rest stop. In a steep ravine at the Cottage Lane access point, the top layer of snow broke free and fell down in big chunks towards the road. This is a timely reminder to everyone venturing out in the woods that avalanche warnings for hillier areas throughout the province could apply to Lac des Roches as well.
Even if not pulling a track setting machine, sledders on the lake often provide the perfect track for cross country skiers, as this resident shows in this interesting picture. A slow-moving snowmobile, particularly one with small paddles on its track, will set outside ridges for skis and paths for poles that easily suit the stance of most adult skiers.
So often, the wild animals that live around Lac des Roches move unseen by residents, under the cover of darkness. A stroll around the neighbourhood, particularly after a snowfall, will usually reveal some evidence of animal activity. A resident recently came across these tracks on the shore of Boultbee Road. Tracks indicated that a moose came across the ice from the south shore, crossed the otter’s slide marks, then continued along the north shore, on the same route as the otter. At the same point and on the day before, a coyote had veered away from the shore. This photo shows clearly that the otter slid under the tree, the moose stepped over the tree and the coyote trotted around the tree.
Under ice diver training has become an annual January event at Lac des Roches. Both Canadian and American dive teams have found the facilities at the Lac des Roches Resort and the condition of the ice on Little Lac des Roches to be ideal for their winter training activities. This is a view of the group from Highway 24. Their presence was indicated by a large temporary shelter over their access hole which also protects their sophisticated equipment. The team members are happy to talk to anyone who treks out on the ice to see their training in progress. If you missed them this year, pencil it in your calendar for late January next year.
Several residents from Lac des Roches occupied an entire table at the recent International Dinner at the Bridge Lake school. This year, the annual fund raiser was held on January 30 and was well-attended by a total of 90 residents from many of the surrounding communities. Boultbee Road resident, Yvonne Llewellyn, pictured here with husband Daryl, was the winner of one of several door prizes. Yvonne’s basket of Canadian Olympic items included this vehicle window flag which she proudly displayed on her morning walk the following day.
Lac des Roches may be a small community but a combination of its unique geography and demographics provide limitless stories which may be of interest to everyone. Moving the column from a bi-weekly newspaper publication with a one-week advance deadline to an instant update medium is a welcome change for both readers and writers. The objective of the community blog is to inform and entertain the residents and friends of Lac des Roches with relevant and timely stories and pictures of local activities. Readers are invited to submit stories, pictures and suggestions to enhance the blog. Enjoy your daily read! sw
More than a dozen friends and neighbours gathered last week to celebrate Bill Jollymore’s milestone birthday.
Never one to be shy of the spotlight, and in typical fashion, Bill kept the guests entertained and awed with his recount of stories and jokes from his eventful past.
He has been coming to Lac des Roches for more than 50 years and is well-known as an expert on area fly fishing. Bill’s expertise on fishing gear, firearms and fly tying is recognized worldwide with some of his collection currently on exhibit in New York City.
Bill and his wife, Lori, have been living part time at Lac des Roches for more than a decade, but have plans to relocate full time to Washington.
Boultbee Road landowners with properties near the location of the drainage improvement project were invited last week to a site meeting to discuss the proposed changes.
The objective is to redirect the water through new underground culverts and manholes from a large ditch between two houses to a nearby public lake access with minimal impact to existing properties, driveways and the lakeshore.
Heavy spring runoff water in previous years has caused damage to the public road and put private property at risk of flooding, so this modification is a welcome change.
The large tent on Little Lac des Roches, visible from Highway 24 near the Lac des Roches Resort, is evidence of the return of divers conducting under ice training.
Today (Jan. 29) is the last scheduled day for underwater manoeuvres. During the training exercises, the divers have always welcomed visitors interested in learning more about their techniques and equipment, and they will answer questions and pose for pictures.
As with their first day of setup, their last day will be spent demobilizing their gear and restoring the lake to a safe condition. They will be too preoccupied to entertain the public.
If you missed the opportunity to observe the group this year, chances are they will return next January, as this has become their preferred destination for this annual training and recertification.
Weather conditions have improved the ice playground at Lac des Roches.
Cooler nights in mid-January have resulted in much of the water and slush on the lake refreezing, a significant improvement since December. During a mild winter like the one we are enjoying, there will always be wet spots near the underwater springs but around the lake, ice depth is reported to be between eight and 12 inches.
While trout fishing can be successful all year long, several fishing parties have been out on the lake both day and night, fishing for burbot.
Although catching these odd-looking fish usually improves during their spawning season, January to March, fishing success seems to be a little low this winter. The fish seem to be a little behind schedule moving into the shallows this year, but as with all fishing, patience is required.
For those anglers, willing to try their luck catching burbot, the reward is a surprising treat. While the white meat of a burbot is easily mistaken for cod when prepared like cod, it is similar to the delicate flavour of lobster, especially when boiled in lightly salted water and dipped in melted butter, which gives this strange looking fish the nickname “the poor man’s lobster.” Bon appétit.
Residents on both Boultbee and McCarthy roads have been enjoying frequent sightings of moose meandering through the yards, munching on the tips of trees and bushes. Wolves are still heard in the surrounding hills but not seen – thankfully.
Wet ice conditions kept many residents and their guests from enjoying their usual activities on Lac des Roches throughout the holiday season.
Although the ice depth measures between six and eight inches – plenty deep enough for foot and vehicle use – mild temperatures and heavy snow contributed to the accumulation of deep overflow water and slush on top of the ice.
Since snowmobilers count on frozen lakes in the South Cariboo to access miles of trails, they proceeded to use the lake and made their usual paths around and across the lake, often shooting up giant rooster tails of water or displacing huge sheets of slightly frozen slush.
Colder nights since early January have resulted in solidifying much of the mush on the lake resulting in miles of ruts and ridges criss-crossing the lake. The lake is now an extremely bumpy ride for sledders and the frozen obstacle course will provide a challenge for walkers and skiers for the remainder of the winter.
Other than on manicured ice rinks in front of several cabins, skaters in particular will be challenged to find patches of smooth ice among the ice’s cracks and tracks. Ice fishers, particularly those intent on catching burbot, have begun night fishing on some of the nearby shoals, which attract these unique and tasty fish during the winter spawning season.
Lac des Roches birding enthusiast, Wendy Marshall reports the annual local Christmas bird count showed the “numbers of species as well as numbers within each species were a little lower than previous years.”
The event included a one-day count along a predetermined route by a group of birders and stationary feeder counts over a short period of time. On Jan. 4, eight members of the Bridge Lake Naturalist Club logged dozens of species during their day-long excursion.
A significant surprise mentioned by Wendy was the first time presence of many dark-eyed juncos, which should have flown south before winter. She explained they are ground feeders and usually migrate to lower elevations and climates where snow does not cover the seeds on the ground.
While juncos may be getting some of their nutrition on the ground below yard feeders, something may have changed in our ecosystem, which allows them to stay in our area.
Winter finches have not yet appeared and Wendy speculates the redpolls and pine grosbeak have found a good food supply to the north, which would explain their absence.
Sledders report there is plenty of snow to enjoy the trails and cut blocks on the usual local trails.
Active log hauling is still underway and caution must be exercised on all forestry roads. The logging activity has resulted in new forestry roads, which appeal to sledders constantly looking for connecting routes to enhance their trail rides.
Several neighbours have commented they appreciate the ledge created on the forestry roads by the grader operator, using his wing blade, to create a safe riding lane for their sleds, out of the path of regular road traffic.
There are only a few reports of actual animal sightings, but the frequent snowfall has provided repetitive evidence of plenty of wildlife activity throughout the neighbourhood and surrounding Crown land.
Moose, deer, coyote, otter, rabbit and ermine tracks are common and reappear soon after each snowfall.
Although the howls of several wolves seemed to originate from locations along the south edge of the big lake, no obvious tracks were seen, so presumably they are keeping out of sight in the heavily wooded shoreline.
A pair of moose has been observed and their tracks in the snow show evidence of their movement crossing the lake and feeding throughout wooded areas.
Fresh tracks indicate deer are moving through every few days. Under the cover of darkness, they have been meandering through properties, nibbling on the few remaining dried rose hips within their reach.
Several coyotes are back in the area, using the frozen lake as both their hunting ground and playground. Although there are no reports of unpleasant encounters in the area, recent reports of attacks on dogs in other areas of the province are a harsh reminder of just how dangerous coyotes can be.
At least one very active otter has been spotted several times around the big lake. Its unmistakable tracks – a deep rut in the snow – have appeared everywhere during the past few weeks. It has crossed the lake in several spots and checked out all the docks along the Boultbee Road shoreline.
It has travelled through sloped properties and investigated every ravine. One would expect its black body against the white snow would make it easy to spot, but it is somewhat elusive.
While some residents have learned that barking dogs are often the sentries that give notice of wild animal movement nearby, the barks can often mean there is simply a wood pecker feeding nearby. The need to be aware and cautious in the presence of wild animals in the neighbourhood cannot be stressed enough.
Deep snow on the lake ice is having its usual effect.
While the snow muffles the sound of cracking ice with temperature changes, wet spots on the lake are evidence that the cracks are forming. In certain areas, the weight of the snow pushes the ice downward, allowing water to seep up through the cracks and create a layer of slush.
Where there is no water, the snow is protecting the near-perfectly smooth surface of ice which only needs to be cleared to expose a fabulous skating surface.
Earlier in December, groups of sledders, apparently unfamiliar with the area, traversed through private properties several times, looking for access to Crown land trails.
Unfortunately, snowmobile tracks are often misinterpreted by future sledders as an invitation of passage through private property. While it is unlikely residents can stop the wayward riders while they are riding, property owners can mitigate the occurrence of trespassing by marking open access areas with temporary but well-marked blockades. It is unfortunate that the onus is on the land owners, but it seems the occurrence of snowmobilers who do not respect private property has increased.
Earlier this month, a lone traveller on Highway 24 at Lac des Roches experienced an unfortunate vehicle mishap during a particularly heavy snow storm.
He found himself relying on the aid of hospitable strangers. Although not injured, his health condition warranted first aid attendance, which he received from several residents, many of whom attended from the volunteer fire department as emergency responders.
The compassion and care extended to the driver during this bleak evening was impressive. His extreme gratitude goes out to residents, first responders, paramedics, police and the towing company for their help in getting him home to his own bed that night.
The Christmas bird count is scheduled for Jan. 4. Call Wendy at 250-593-2327 for more information.
To all residents, I extend my good wishes for a healthy and happy 2014. To those making New Year’s resolutions, go easy on yourselves with realistic and attainable goals.
Lac des Roches residents awoke to a frozen lake covered in beautiful frost flowers on the morning of Dec. 5. It was very early to have ice on the big lake.