Laserfiche WebLink
Spring/Summer 1996 WATFR TALK Page 7 <br />~~ e~ $ fl <br />~ ~ ~s ~~ <br />~ $ <br />By Glen Yakel <br />Climatologists characterize the winter of <br />1995-1996 as statistically normal in southern Minne- <br />sota, while particularly cold and snowy in northern <br />Minnesota. One word that describes the winter <br />in all of Minnesota is "long". In fact, the long <br />winter of 1995-96 delayed the start of the <br />Division of Waters spring lake gage run by a <br />full two weeks, which is a significant departure <br />from the norm. However, division survey crews <br />checked and reset over 740 gages by the end of <br />May, in spite of the delayed start. Temporary <br />gages must be reset and resurveyed every <br />spring while perrnanent gages are checked and <br />read during the spring gage run. <br />Lake levels are influenced by many <br />factors, including watershed size and character- <br />istics, outlet dam (if any), channel size and <br />configuration (if any), groundwater interaction <br />and antecedent conditions. Spring lake levels <br />tend to be a reflection of winter precipitation <br />patterns. In 1996, lake levels were higher than 1995 <br />in northern Minnesota; the same or lower in southern <br />Minnesota. The largest difference was observed at <br />Sarah Lake in Polk County which was 4.19 feet <br />higher than last spring. Other significantly higher <br />lakes include Saganaga Lake, Cook County (4.15 <br />feet); Oliver Lake, Swift County (3.31 feet) and <br />North and South Lindstrom Lakes, Chisago County <br />(2.6 feet). Sixty percent of lakes checked in 1996 <br />were higher than in 1995. Lakes with lower eleva- <br />Lions this year include Bentsen Lake, Big Stone <br />County (-1.84 feet); South Heron Lake,. Jackson <br />County (-1.83 feet); Okamanpeedan Lake, Martin <br />County (-1.68 feet) and Grass Lake, Anoka County <br />(-1..21 feet). <br />1.84 feet lower than last year. Elsewhere in Big Stone <br />County are dozens of landlocked lake basins with <br />extremely high water levels that are inundating <br />adjacent roads and other utilities. This variability of <br />lake level fluctuation serves to highlight the impor- <br />tance of the lake gaging program. <br />It is interesting to note that. Oliver Lake in <br />Swift County is 3.31 feet higher this year, while <br />"next door" in Big Stone County, Bentsen Lake is <br />