Hello beavers

Beavers are once again challenging us to make them move.  It usually takes 30 days of daily, sometimes twice a day, clearing the culvert and letting the water flow freely.  You are welcome to use the shovel or your bare hands and assist if you are passing by.
Road greatly improved.  Just a few areas are muddy and can be passed with caution.

Water level

The lake is 20.5 inches below the high water mark this spring.

Chronology

Now that spring is here, this is the lineup:
Racoons, chipmonks, mice, ants, trilliums, blackflies, dragonflies, mosquitoes.

Road drying up nicely.  Several 4 wheel vehicles drive the length.  Just a couple of spongy area.  One gigantic washout that can be avoided off to the side.

Water drop

The lake is 10 inches below the high water mark from last week.

Ice free lake

No signs of ice on the lake.

Maple hill

This washout on maple hill is very dangerous and very probably impassable for a vehicle.

 Most of the road is drying up very quickly, but rain scheduled for tonight.

Ice quickly disappearing.  About one half of lake is ice free. Drifting ice is approximately 1 inch thick.

Lake down

The lake is down 5 inches from high water level.  Main part of lake still holding together.  Fishing 'on' the causeway still available.

Maple hill

The road looked normal, then it just caved in and out ran a stream of liquid mud.

Mud and washouts

Several vehicles have come part way on the road but decide to turn back.  Good decision since a few areas are difficult.  Maple hill has a few areas that become sink holes of 'quicksand' when even a light ATV goes over them; the soil is 'loaded' with water.  But most of the road is in normal conditions for this time of year.  All culverts are working better than ever.

High water

High water has flooded over the causeway.  The main body of ice on the lake has not shown any signs of cracking and drifting as of this morning.

Guest Rd.

Runoff on Guest Road

Lake

Some melting along edge of lake.

More mud

The road from mill hill to maple hill is snow/ice free.  Maple hill partially snow/ice covered.  Almost all of Africa Trail to the island snow/ice covered.  Clarke Rd south of Africa Trail snow/ice free.
High hill at Africa Trail beginning (photo above), rutted big time.  Two gates logging road (also called 4 corners), becoming sink hole mine field (top photo)

Snow,ice, melt

Several days of snow, freezing rain and wind have brought down a few trees in the forest.  Melt is going well and all culverts seem to be operating correctly.

Endless winter

Some melting along the edges of the lake.  Causeway and maple hill still with some snow/ice.  No problem with ATV travel.

Washouts

About 2 inches of rain during the night caused some minor washouts.  Mill hill has a few deep ruts, passable with caution.

Maple hill

Frost starting to come out of the ground in certain areas.

Ice 'n mud

More mud appearing.  Runoff starting in some areas.