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| Photos by Cathie M. Rasmussen |
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Big Water Year For The Lake
By Dave and Claudia Cottle, Bear Lake Watch
There is no doubt that 2017 will be a big water year for Bear Lake - because it already is!
The lake came up a half of a foot in 6 days! It has been impressive to watch the water steadily move towards the uplands as it rapidly covers the flat gradient of the lake bed on the northwest shoreline. In many places along the west side it is already up into the weeds and will be at the toe of the steep up slope very soon.
It is also depressive to see the plume of brown sediment laden water encroach on the beautiful blue Bear Lake waters. Yes, the water will eventually clear as the suspended solids fall out of the water column, but to where... the bottom of the lake or the shoreline?
This year seems very different from 2011 in that the dark waters are hugging the west shoreline, with a sharp dividing line seen all the way to the Marina, where it is dispersed a bit, but the dark flow is still very apparent all along the Garden City area and clear to Gus's Point. (I need reports from the south and east side.)
In 2011, I recall the brown plume going more to the middle of the lake, then the lake was green until the first week of October. It is surmised that this was caused by the inundation of an estimated 19 square miles of lake bed that had been exposed for the previous 10 years - approximately half of that was covered with vegetation, with a predominance of large stands of invasive phragmites. There has been a lot of work done to eliminate that problem. Another difference is that this year the lake is filling much earlier, before the new growth has begun, so we will watch and see what the next few months presents.
If you would like to get quick updates on the lake levels and inflows follow the link below to sign up to get regular updates
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=9gug5kcab&p=oi&m=1102026330330&sit=thlz8gddb&f=a8034c78-d9d9-4f4b-88cd-e6caee9be463
There is no doubt that 2017 will be a big water year for Bear Lake - because it already is!
The lake came up a half of a foot in 6 days! It has been impressive to watch the water steadily move towards the uplands as it rapidly covers the flat gradient of the lake bed on the northwest shoreline. In many places along the west side it is already up into the weeds and will be at the toe of the steep up slope very soon.
It is also depressive to see the plume of brown sediment laden water encroach on the beautiful blue Bear Lake waters. Yes, the water will eventually clear as the suspended solids fall out of the water column, but to where... the bottom of the lake or the shoreline?
This year seems very different from 2011 in that the dark waters are hugging the west shoreline, with a sharp dividing line seen all the way to the Marina, where it is dispersed a bit, but the dark flow is still very apparent all along the Garden City area and clear to Gus's Point. (I need reports from the south and east side.)
In 2011, I recall the brown plume going more to the middle of the lake, then the lake was green until the first week of October. It is surmised that this was caused by the inundation of an estimated 19 square miles of lake bed that had been exposed for the previous 10 years - approximately half of that was covered with vegetation, with a predominance of large stands of invasive phragmites. There has been a lot of work done to eliminate that problem. Another difference is that this year the lake is filling much earlier, before the new growth has begun, so we will watch and see what the next few months presents.
If you would like to get quick updates on the lake levels and inflows follow the link below to sign up to get regular updates
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=9gug5kcab&p=oi&m=1102026330330&sit=thlz8gddb&f=a8034c78-d9d9-4f4b-88cd-e6caee9be463
Less Beach Than Last Year
THE BEST BEACH AT BEAR LAKE
Posted in Bear Lake Guide by Lauriann Wakefield
For families coming to vacation at Bear Lake, “What is the best beach?” is a common question, and not an easy one to answer as the amount of actual sandy beach with public access changes each year.
This summer season (2017) we will have a very full Bear Lake from our wet winter. Runoff is flowing high and some sandy beaches will all be underwater. So if you are new to Bear Lake and want to know where to take your family, here is the opinion of one local beach goer.
First choice would be Bear Lake Hot Springs on the Idaho side. The entrance to drive onto the sand has nothing to do with the water level so I suspect visitors will still be able to park on the sand. A huge plus for when you are unloading gear for the day. I can’t remember the entrance fee but with a coupon I think a day use was $5 (their website was unclear on what their beach access fee was).
They also have a long stretch of sand to play on. And there is no beach grass, which means fewer bugs, especially the ones that bite. I have never had a problem with deer flies or mosquitoes here. The only complaint I have is that this beach had ATVs on their beach and dogs, so we were annoyed by the noise of both on the days we visited.
A very close second choice would be North Beach on the Idaho side. (I actually visit this beach the most). This beach is a super long stretch of beautiful sand, perfect to play in with few rocks. And like the Bear Lake Hot Springs beach, there is no annoying beach grass. No dogs are allowed- a plus for my kids. Of all the angles to view the lake, I love this one the most as I feel the mountains in the distance frame so well.
Because of the expected high water this summer, don’t expect to park on the sand near the water as the only access is on the boat ramp. When it’s underwater, we have to park way up by the main road and haul our gear down. Not an easy task, but doable. Entrance fee is $5 a day (cheaper than the Utah State Parks).
North Beach is also perfect for small kids. The slope of the water is so gradual they can walk out far and it’s barely to their waist. No sudden drop offs to worry about. The sand is so fun to build castles and anything. It’s not overrun with shells like other beaches are.
If you come this summer, plan on arriving early to set up your spot. I suspect it will have more visitors than usual. My only complaint is it gets very crowded as the day progresses.
Another beach to visit this summer is Rendezvous Beach on the Utah side.
This is a Utah State park and has an entrance fee of $10 for day use. I suspect we also won’t be able to park on the sand as what sand is available will be left for the beach goers. The length of this beach is less than North Beach, but also has some good sandy spots. It does have the beach grass near by, which in my experience is home to biting insects. You will definitely want bug spray at Rendezvous Beach.
I hate to say it but I don’t think Garden City will have any sand to play with at their beaches for 2017. All the sand and grass you see below is predicted to be underwater. And as you can see, Garden City has a lot of grass and wetlands not suitable for building sand castles.
The Garden City Park beach might have a small section of sand with the high water, but I think only 5-10 families can fit there. Below are two pictures from the last time the lake waters were high. As you can see, it’s not an ideal spot with the debris and rocks, and the bugs are way annoying the closer you get to the wetlands around the park boardwalk.
There is a small beach section at the Bear Lake Marina in Garden City. Entrance fee is $10 a day. I like to be able to rent a paddle board right there on the beach. But I don’t like the bugs. I’ve always come away with bites, and one year I had a bad allergic reaction. With the high waters this year, there won’t be much of the sandy beach, only for a few families. And it’s right close to the main highway.
The east side of Bear Lake won’t have much sand to play on either. Most of the beaches there are covered in rocks anyway. The east side is also known for sudden drop offs out in the water. The deepest part of the lake is over on the east side, 200 ft.
Rocks cover the stretch of beach between Ideal Beach and Rendezvous Beach on the southwest end of Bear Lake. In the past, it’s been a great place to park and play at the lake because it is free, and the sandy part is just beyond the rocks. But this year, most of it will be under water, and only the rocky beach will be visible.
So these are my suggestions for the summer year of 2017. We love all the the much needed water, but hate to see the public sandy beaches go underwater.
Personally, I would love to see more public access points become available around the lake. I don’t think Fish Haven has any! More access to Bear Lake is needed especially since it has become more popular in the last ten years and will continue to grow.
Posted in Bear Lake Guide by Lauriann Wakefield
For families coming to vacation at Bear Lake, “What is the best beach?” is a common question, and not an easy one to answer as the amount of actual sandy beach with public access changes each year.
This summer season (2017) we will have a very full Bear Lake from our wet winter. Runoff is flowing high and some sandy beaches will all be underwater. So if you are new to Bear Lake and want to know where to take your family, here is the opinion of one local beach goer.
First choice would be Bear Lake Hot Springs on the Idaho side. The entrance to drive onto the sand has nothing to do with the water level so I suspect visitors will still be able to park on the sand. A huge plus for when you are unloading gear for the day. I can’t remember the entrance fee but with a coupon I think a day use was $5 (their website was unclear on what their beach access fee was).They also have a long stretch of sand to play on. And there is no beach grass, which means fewer bugs, especially the ones that bite. I have never had a problem with deer flies or mosquitoes here. The only complaint I have is that this beach had ATVs on their beach and dogs, so we were annoyed by the noise of both on the days we visited.
A very close second choice would be North Beach on the Idaho side. (I actually visit this beach the most). This beach is a super long stretch of beautiful sand, perfect to play in with few rocks. And like the Bear Lake Hot Springs beach, there is no annoying beach grass. No dogs are allowed- a plus for my kids. Of all the angles to view the lake, I love this one the most as I feel the mountains in the distance frame so well.
Because of the expected high water this summer, don’t expect to park on the sand near the water as the only access is on the boat ramp. When it’s underwater, we have to park way up by the main road and haul our gear down. Not an easy task, but doable. Entrance fee is $5 a day (cheaper than the Utah State Parks).
North Beach is also perfect for small kids. The slope of the water is so gradual they can walk out far and it’s barely to their waist. No sudden drop offs to worry about. The sand is so fun to build castles and anything. It’s not overrun with shells like other beaches are.
If you come this summer, plan on arriving early to set up your spot. I suspect it will have more visitors than usual. My only complaint is it gets very crowded as the day progresses.
Another beach to visit this summer is Rendezvous Beach on the Utah side.
This is a Utah State park and has an entrance fee of $10 for day use. I suspect we also won’t be able to park on the sand as what sand is available will be left for the beach goers. The length of this beach is less than North Beach, but also has some good sandy spots. It does have the beach grass near by, which in my experience is home to biting insects. You will definitely want bug spray at Rendezvous Beach.
I hate to say it but I don’t think Garden City will have any sand to play with at their beaches for 2017. All the sand and grass you see below is predicted to be underwater. And as you can see, Garden City has a lot of grass and wetlands not suitable for building sand castles.
The Garden City Park beach might have a small section of sand with the high water, but I think only 5-10 families can fit there. Below are two pictures from the last time the lake waters were high. As you can see, it’s not an ideal spot with the debris and rocks, and the bugs are way annoying the closer you get to the wetlands around the park boardwalk.
There is a small beach section at the Bear Lake Marina in Garden City. Entrance fee is $10 a day. I like to be able to rent a paddle board right there on the beach. But I don’t like the bugs. I’ve always come away with bites, and one year I had a bad allergic reaction. With the high waters this year, there won’t be much of the sandy beach, only for a few families. And it’s right close to the main highway.
The east side of Bear Lake won’t have much sand to play on either. Most of the beaches there are covered in rocks anyway. The east side is also known for sudden drop offs out in the water. The deepest part of the lake is over on the east side, 200 ft.
Rocks cover the stretch of beach between Ideal Beach and Rendezvous Beach on the southwest end of Bear Lake. In the past, it’s been a great place to park and play at the lake because it is free, and the sandy part is just beyond the rocks. But this year, most of it will be under water, and only the rocky beach will be visible.
So these are my suggestions for the summer year of 2017. We love all the the much needed water, but hate to see the public sandy beaches go underwater.
Personally, I would love to see more public access points become available around the lake. I don’t think Fish Haven has any! More access to Bear Lake is needed especially since it has become more popular in the last ten years and will continue to grow.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Pre Kindergarten Day
Parents of 2017-18 Kindergarten Students
You and your child are invited to Pre-Kindergarten Day, April 10. We will be meeting at North Rich Elementary at 9:55 am. The schedule will be as follows:
10:00 - Bus safety and orientation
10:15 - Children to Kindergarten for story & song,
Parents meet with Principal Motta for Kindergarten information
10:45 – Lunch - Chicken nuggets
Cost is $3.50 for adults and $2.00 for children
This should be a fun experience for you and your child as you both get ready for Kindergarten!!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to call
Mr. Motta, Mrs. Allen or Mrs. Conk at 946-3359.
Hope to see you there!!!
Two Public Hearings April 5
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
A Request for Services has been filed with the Rich County Clerk and has been certified as complete. Filing a Request for Services begins the process to form a Local Service District. Under Utah Code Ann. § 17B-1-204, a sufficient number of registered voters residing within a proposed area may file a formal request for the County to provide them with a specific service and propose the creation of a Local Service District. The Request for Services gives the County the option to (1) provide the proposed area with the requested service or (2) allow the process to form a Local Service District to continue.
The Request for Services asks Rich County to provide the proposed area: "a system for the collection, storage, retention, control, conservation, treatment, supplying, distribution, or reclamation of water, specifically including culinary water, but excluding sewage service where such service is provided already by another entity." The proposed area is shown on the attached map and includes the following subdivisions:
Sweetwater Park Golf Course Subdivisions #1-6 Sweetwater Park Omega Subdivisions #1-6 Sweetwater Park Subdivisions #1-lOA
Sweetwater Park Trailer and Camper Park Phases 1 through 8. Foxridge Subdivisions 1through 4.
The Rich County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Request for Services on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. at 69 N. Paradise Parkway, Building #C, Lakeview Room, in Garden City. Those attending the meeting will be invited to provide comments on whether the requested service is needed in the proposed area, whether the requested service should be provided by Rich County or the proposed Local Service District, and on any other related matter. A full copy of the Request for Services may be obtained by contacting Rich County Clerk, Becky Peart at (435) 793-2415.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Rich County Courthouse, 20 S. Main Street in Randolph. The Rich County Board of Commissioners is considering applying to the Permanent Community Impact Fund Board ("CIB") for a grant of $8,300,000. The CIB is a program of the State of Utah, which uses mineral lease royalties returned to the State by the federal government to provide loans and/or grants to local governments for public infrastructure projects. If awarded, the CIB may choose to provide the requested financing as either a grant or as a long-term loan, or some combination of both.
The purpose of the application is to reconstruct 12+ miles of Cisco Road on the east side of Bear Lake from the Idaho border to State Highway 30 in Laketown. This project would include 8Yz miles of total road reconstruction and 3Yz miles of road overlay. If awarded, the funding would allow the project to begin in 2018. '
The Board of Commissioners is soliciting the public's comments on the size, scope and nature of the proposed application. Those attending the meeting wtll be invited to provide their input.
One Day HAM License Class
If you wanted to get an amateur radio
license but never had the time, now is your opportunity! To obtain the entry-level Technician
license, all one has to do is pass a multiple-choice exam. With a Technician Class License, one may
participate in Amateur Radio and enjoy privileges for operation on the HF
amateur bands, use of VHF & UHF repeaters, participation in local Amateur
Radio Emergency Services (ARES), and many other activities.
- The course will step through the information needed to pass the FCC Technician License exam.
- Preparation prior to participation in the course and the exam is strongly encouraged.
- Two forms of identification (at least one must have your photograph) will be required to take the exam. All license exams will be offered (Technician, General and Extra) at this testing session. If upgrading bring original and photocopy of current license. $15.00 test fee; cash preferred, checks ok, no credit cards.
Contact Keven at kjnield@digis.net or call
(208) 847-2019 or Eldon at eldon@k7ogm.org
or call (801) 560-0446.
________________________________________________________________________________
The BEARS (Bear Lake
Emergency Amateur Radio Service) Amateur Radio Club will be holding a one day
Amateur (Ham) Technician licensing class.
This will be a one day cram style class lasting until about 4:00 pm. Testing for licensing will follow immediately
after the class and cost is $15.00 for the examination. There is no cost for the class.
Students are expected
to prepare before class by following preparation instructions below.
Date:
April 22nd
(Saturday) 2017 For Technician License
Location:
Garden City, Utah Fire Station
Garden City, Utah Fire Station
Time:
Class 8:00 am to 4:00
pm (break for lunch 11:00 am to 12:00 pm)
Testing 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Testing 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Students
should prepare for this class by:
·
Reading the “KB6NU No Nonsense Technician Study
Guide” before class begins. A copy can
be downloaded for no charge here. http://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2014-no-nonsense-tech-study-guide-v20.pdf
·
Read the Part 97 rules, found here. Part 97 Rules
·
Print a copy of the ARRL Band Plan, found here-
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Band%20Chart/Hambands_color.pdf
·
Two
forms of identification (at least one must have your photograph) will be
required to take the exam. All license
exams will be offered (Technician, General and Extra) at this testing
session. If upgrading bring original and
photocopy of current license. $15.00
test fee; cash preferred,
checks ok, no
credit cards.
If
you would like more information or to sign up please email Keven at kjnield@digis.net or call (208) 847-2019, or
email Eldon at eldon@k7ogm.org or
call (801) 560-0446.
If
you sign up for the class we can email the links and study guide to you.
Walk
ins are welcome.
Monday, March 27, 2017
The Pickleville Philosopher
Gullible!
By Jim Stone, The Pickleville Philosopher
I have been yearning to get the fly rod out and go catch a
nice trout up on the river today. We drove
all the way up there and it still had ice on it so the fish are still safe for
a little longer.
When I see any river I always think of Alaska. When I was
guiding up there we would fly in an old restored nineteen forty to Grumman
goose float plane. The planes would drop
us off, then we would get all our gear ready to float a hundred and twenty five
miles to the ocean where the float planes would fly us back to the top of the
river so we could do it all again. It
was a new adventure every time.
One of my favorite things to do on the last day on the river
was to feed the big wild leopard rainbows. They were unreal fish. They were brilliant reds oranges and scarlet
in color with black spots.
We would eat fresh salmon three days a week while we were
floating down the river. The salmon were
full of eggs, several thousand per fish, I would save all the eggs from them,
then the last day on the river I would have all the clients put away their
fishing poles and get out their cameras. We would all kneel down on the river
bank I would lay flat on my belly and take a handful of salmon eggs and put my
hand under water and let small clumps of eggs escape my hand and float freely
down the river within about ten minutes there would be a whole line of leopard
rainbow trout that would just appear for a free meal. These big rainbows would
come right up and take eggs right from your hands and everyone could
participate and get pictures of these beautiful fish. it was a great memory for
all of the clients to remember Alaska by.
After we fed the fish it was time to send the clients home
with another memory from the guides in Alaska. The bugs are horrible in Alaska
they would literally drive you crazy. We were on a river named the Kenektok and
on the last night on the river everyone would get very sentimental not wanting their
trip to Alaska to end. We guides knew we
weren’t leaving yet, we were gonna get picked up by the float planes and flown
back to the top of the river to float it again.
Well we always had a box of wine for the last night on the
river, we would fill a thirty two ounce cup with wine than add a table spoon of
powder orange Tang. We would mix it up
with the wine; we named it the Kenektok cooler.
We made everyone a cooler. The clients chugged them down so I made them
another.
The bugs were driving one guy nuts so he asked, “Why do
these bugs always buzz around our heads?”
By this time the clients had almost finished their second Kenektok
cooler so I replied, “Well, they always fly around the highest point of your body.
What you guys need to do is go cut down some of those willow tree branches and
tape them standing up on and around your heads then the bugs will buzz above your
heads and not bother you.”
After two Kenektok coolers they sucked right into my plan. Well I just so happened to have a big roll of
duct tape. Imagine that how convenient at this point it was. All us guides could do to not crack a smile
or fall over in laughter. Soon they had
duct taped branches to their heads some of them had taped more like tree limbs
four feet tall over their heads.
“These Kenektok coolers are really good. Let’s have another!”
They shouted as they all danced around the bonfire. “Hey you guys,, this really
works! There are no bugs biting my face. This is awesome. How come you guys didn’t tell us about this earlier?”
We could only have a bonfire the last night on the river
after we were below the wildlife refuge. Of course it wasn’t the tree branches
that kept the bugs away it was the smoke from the bonfire.
The clients danced around the fire and just had a blast. We new eventually they would figure out our
prank and they did the next day. On our
last day on the river they tried again but it wasn’t working.
We explained the best we could and that was another great
memory for them to remember as well as their great trip to float one of Alaska’s
most wild rivers.
Gershwin In Montpelier
Del Parkinson presents Celebrating Gershwin
April 28, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Allinger Community Theatre, Montpelier
All show tickets are $15. Theatre doors open at 7:00 PM. Show starts at 7:30 PM. A pre-show dinner option at 6:00 PM featuring "Steak & Caesar" is available at checkout for an additional $20 plus sales tax that includes meal, drink, dessert and tip.
BUY TICKETS https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=noctc
Del Parkinson is a favorite classical pianist of the valley as he has performed here many times. His engaging personality and musical talent makes for a memorable evening!
Del began studying piano at age five in his hometown of Blackfoot, Idaho. He now holds a doctor of music degree from Indiana University and a postgraduate diploma from The Juilliard School. He was the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays grant for graduate study in London. He was coordinator of piano instruction at Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he taught for eight years, and is now professor of piano at Boise State University, where he joined the faculty in 1985.
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