"Let it Snow, Let it Snow" -- NOT!! By Rod Lord
Deer Lake isn't in the Sierra Nevadas, the Alps, or the Himalayas ... but twelve feet of snow? By unofficial estimates and measurements in my driveway in Gardner Acres on West Deer Lake, total snowfall accumulation for this winter reached 12 feet and what's amazing is we piled up 100 inches by January 4th.
The first snowfall - two inches - came October 19th. Since my family moved to Deer Lake in 1974, I don't recall any snow that early in the year. To add to that - more than 3 feet had fallen by Thanksgiving. If the snow had continued to fall at the November/December rate without the unexpected January/February slow-down and thaw, I'd be writing this with the lights on and snow covering the windows to nearly 17 feet.
Inga and I remember well the winter of 1992 for its heavy accumulation - we lost two shed roofs and suffered moderate damage from leakage in the house. That's when we decided on a 6 ½ pitch roof, but I don't think November and December of 1992 can compare with those same months in 1996.
Old timers in this region say Deer Lake lies in a "snow belt". It seems that way. Speculating from my education and experience (MS in Meteorology and Climatology and twenty one years as an Air Force Meteorologist), I'd say the topography around Deer Lake lends itself to a so-called "snow belt".
Telescope Peak to the north and the other hills form a
sort of horseshoe around the lake and open to the west. With storm systems
moving in from the west, low clouds could get trapped over the lake and dump
their snow loads as the winds force them up and out of the horseshoe -- a
similar action to the western slopes of the Cascades but on a very much smaller
scale. Our weather differs from Spokane. When they reeled under the worst ice
storm on record, 10 inches of snow but not one drop of freezing rain fell here
in Deer Lake. No, we're not in the Alps or those other places, but after
shoveling 12 feet of snow this winter, I'm glad we're not. I'm not complaining -
shoveling is good exercise, but -- Enough Already!!
Fish Stories by Bruce Bassett
We have GOOD news and we have BAD news.
The good news - we have approval for the new fish pens!! I'm currently working with the Washington Fish&Game to raise eastern brook trout in the new pens and they have given verbal approval. Brookies feed primarily on insects and small fish around shore lines thus allowing better fishing for our kids around the docks - and for us big kids too!
The bad news - Why are we not catching more fish? We have had our new sewage system in place for three years and this has improved water quality of our lake but to the detriment of the fish, according to Curt Vail, Washington state fisher biologist out of Colville. Zooplankton is a primary food source for Rainbows, which feed primarily in open water by just swimming with their mouth open gulping the zooplankton. This is the sole food source for Kokanee. Septic systems leach phosphates and nitrates into the lake providing a food source for zooplankton. Removal of he septic tanks also removes the food source for zooplankton, which then removes the food source for the rainbows. Are you still with me? It takes a few years for the lake to adjust itself after a new sewage system replaces septic tanks.
A second problem was discovered last summer by a state research biologist who found that our lake is inundated with stunted yellow perch at the 60-80 foot depths and they compete for the zooplankton as well. What can we do? Really, nothing but wait until nature balances out the lake.
The state of Washington Fish&Game has alloted 20,000 catchable rainbows to be stocked this spring along with the 15,000 currently being raised in our net pen that will be released as well this spring, bring a total of 35,000 catchable rainbows. We will again get our 15,000 rainbow fry for our net pens and if we have our new second pen ready, we will receive an additional 15,000 brook trout fry to raise as well. The fishing should be better!!
Emergency Services by Gerry Block
Greetings to all --
Folks - it is time to get down to some serious thoughts about our fire station #15 at Deer Lake. At the present time our station is manned by one individual, Paul Kemble. Paul is now responsible for answering all of the calls for emergency services. 'This gets to be old very fast and can lead to burnout. If we lose Paul, we lose a very valuable member of the Deer Lake Fire Department.
I was able to attend a meeting recently for all of the representatives from each fire station in Stevens county district #1. A very hot subject of discussion was the utilization, retention and retrieval of the volunteers for our fire district. Deer Lake is badly in need of volunteers. The day may come that no one will be available to respons to a call for help and this is a very alarming situation.
Road Committee Report by Jack Low
Spring is here - at least that is what the calendar shows - and you can almost smell the darling buds of May!
This means that the road crews will soon be out to assess and repair the considerable damage that has been done to our roads by a really long and rather "unkind to roads" type of winter.
As you probably already know, we have received a state grant for the resurfacing of Garden Spot Road. According to Jerry Bryant, our County Road engineer, the project will be put out for bids around April 1st and construction should begin in the latter part of May or early June. This is very welcome news.
I don't need to tell you that there has been a lot of damage to all of the roads surrounding our lake. The damage will be patched as soon as weather conditions permit.
Library
The Stevens County Commissioners have appointed a four member library board for the County Library District. The board has received a Federal Grant to develop a specific plan for providing library services to all parts of unincorporated Stevens County. A consultant will be hired to work with the board and with the residents of the county for their input and counsel in creating small community libraries. There are no plans for a library building. Funding will not be available until May of 1998 for regular library service.
The board expects technology to play a big part in providing reference material and to connect ll branch libraries within the district so that all print and non-print materials will be readily available throughout the county.
Eurasian Milfoil found in Loon Lake by Collen King
Since its introduction into Washington state in about 1977, Eurasian Milfoil has spread to many parts of the state. It has choked out native plants in many locations. It has impacted recreational activities, hydroelectric power generation, and fish and wildlife habitat.
It can now be found closer to home in Loon Lake. Although it has not been detected in Deer Lake, we need to start watching for it now. It is transferred from one water body to another on boat motors and boat trailers. With fishermen and boaters going between the two lakes, the possibility for it to appear in Deer Lake is very real.
Eurasian Milfoil spreads rapidly. New plants and colonies can start from a single fragment carried to a new area. Once colonies are established, control is difficult and costly. It is vital to identify new colonies early.
What can we do to prevent this plant from damaging our beautiful lake?