Will Five Island Lake return to its former summertime use before the years of Covid followed by last summer’s drought? Three years ago, docks all along the shore would be ready for sunbathing, launching boats and catching fish by Memorial Weekend.
Last year’s drought halted most water activity because boat owners did not want to risk any damage to their vessels by running into shallow water. For most of the summer, boats couldn’t even pass under the train trestle without getting stuck. Before the underpass was dredged, several people needed help getting their boats unstuck.
To date there have been a few pontoons making the rounds on the lake and some speed boats. Fishing vessels can be seen early in the day and some evenings. Even on the weekends, the cooler temperatures and the tentative approach to the lake have not increased water activities to any level near three or four years ago. If the temperature is moderate, some kayaks can be seen in both the south and north bays.
All migratory birds that provided a spring festival of color, activity and noise that took minds off of the unusual cold spring temperatures have now made their way to their summer nesting areas. Left are the geese and each morning since last week they are louder and louder in the early hours of the day. Goslings have hatched. This past weekend a pair of geese were on the lake near third island. One parent led the parade of 20 goslings. There was the parent, then 10 goslings, the other parent and the remaining ten goslings. The perfectly straight line formed by the family was a wonder to behold.
Both campsites have not been very busy. The Shores camp has maybe hosted two or three campers during the past few weekends. There are more trailers on the east side of the lake but nothing compared to previous years at this time. All of this might just be a reflection of the uptick in gas prices.
This may sound negative but it is just observations. When a lake is part of your everyday life anything that disrupts that uniqueness is something to be pondered. It also deserves some reflection about how we treat this natural resource. Are we careful not to use weed and feed along the shoreline, what responsibilities do we have to make sure that home owners do not contribute to the water’s turbidity. This is when the cloudy water is thick because of suspended matter.
Even with Five Island Lake’s ongoing impairment status, there are still many things about the lake that make people appreciate this valuable resource.
Written by Diane Weiland
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