Cisco Sonar

Ice?  2020
By Bryce Nielson

It is that time of year when people start thinking about when Bear Lake is going to freeze.  They see ice fishing reports from Utah and Idaho and are hot to get out on the ice in Bear Lake.  Ice fishing has been a big deal in Bear Lake for years.  It used to be concentrated along Cisco Beach and when that area is frozen dipping ciscos is easy.  Depending on ice formation, fishing on the Rockpile in front of Ideal Beach saw hundreds of ice fishermen and all the gear.  Those folks are ready to hit it again, so I will explain how Bear Lake freezes, if it does.

On typical years, Bear Lake starts to cool, releasing the heat it stored from the summer, in late November and early December.  At that time the lake condenses water from liquid to gas and the “Valley” fills up with fog.  It makes for a beautiful view from the Bear Lake Summit with the basin “full of cotton”.  Depending on many factors, primarily weather, this condition remains for a couple of weeks.  During this time, you may see rivers of clouds pouring out of North and South Eden canyons with the cold morning winds or lake effect snowstorms in Laketown. 

As the surface of the lake approaches 32o  F the fog begins to disappear.  If we have a high pressure and no wind the lake will begin to skim from the shore.  It will start over the shallow water in the north end and proceeded down the west side.  Ice will then freeze off Gus Rich Point and Rendezvous Beach.  As you drive around the lake it will appear that the whole body of water is frozen, but the east side and the middle deeper water will still be open.  As the cold continues, it all starts to freeze but there will be open water off of the Eden deltas due to the canyon winds.  At any time, a storm and wind can break up the lake but the time to refreeze is shortened because of the millions of ice cubes floating around.  For the lake to freeze totally overnight, the best scenario is a heavy snowstorm followed by sub-zero temperatures and dead calm.
 
This typically occurs in mid-January but may be as late as March.  I am only aware of the lake freezing totally in December one time in the past 60 years.  Long term averages indicate that that lake will freeze four out if five years, but that has changed recently.   It hasn’t completely frozen for at least four years.  As I have observed the changes in climate it is obvious that things are definitely warmer that in the past. How this will affect the Lake is an unknown.  A completely frozen lake four out of five years may be a thing of the past. 

The freeze data was annually collected by PacifiCorp, but I can’t find a complete set and my memory isn’t what it used to be.   If anyone has access to freeze data for Bear Lake, I would appreciate getting a copy.   Text me at 435-994-1649.

Eagle Sighting

Photo's by Sharon Heiner

Empty Nesters

March Empty Nesters

Patti and Ven Savage will host March 2^nd in the Quilting Room at 6 PM.  They will provide

     pulled pork and buns for the main course. One of their daughters is a therapist and will

  discuss addiction, infertility and other topics.  

  See y’all there!!!

Please

RSVP Randall (mumknight374@gmail.com) 

with your plans to attend and what

you plan on bringing to compliment the main course. This helps to ensure they

 have enough food and the right number of utensils.   

Heaven's Artwork

Photo from Bear Lake Visitors and Convention Bureau

Garden City Council Member Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. February 23, 2020.  Councilman Jordan Parry noted that the bathrooms in the swimming pool have been remodeled and are very nice.  A lot of things at the pool have been updated, the pump is clean, the hot tub is working well, there are new covers for areas needed and a new system for the chemicals in the pool has been installed.  The ceiling has been painted.  Currently, all of the staff members are pleased with the better environment there and are trying harder to also do a better job as well.  Each employee is required to write up a report each week and include what they have done and what has been happening at the pool.

Councilman Ken Hansen reported that the staff in the library are doing a super job.  They are currently working to create some classes and programs that will use all of the new equipment that has been placed in the library.

The Youth Council held their first meeting.  They are planning all kinds of youth activities.  There will be at least one youth activity each month.  The age group for the youth range from 14 and up.  Those on the Youth Council are excited and are looking for things to do.  If anyone in the community needs help or can give suggestions, it will be appreciated.  Hopefully, the youth will also be given the opportunity to see how our government works, various kinds of taxes and why they exist, legislature sessions, budgets, fiscal responsibility and so forth.

Councilman Howard Pope said that the community should have more mingling together.  Socials, more neighbor interaction etc. make for good neighbors. 

Pope said that he will get in touch with Ted Wilson to make sure people can go all the way up Hodges Canyon to the top.  The City has a water contract with Wilson and the dedicated trail does go through his property. 

The state funds are available in the amount of $30,000 to $40,000 that can be used to improve trails.  There is also money from the forest to fence trails to the forest, and easements can be signed and agreed upon with the forest.

Councilwoman Pat Argyle noted that Heritage Park needs more sod brought in.  She has already started working on Raspberry Days.  Heritage Parks is a public park and should be treated the same as the City Park on Bear Lake Blvd.  The stage will be used for two or three concerts this coming summer.  The idea of a weekly movie night is being considered.  The stage can also be used for city events.

Ken Hansen suggested that some kind of a sign be placed on the stage at the park.  It might say something like “Please do not play on the stage.”  This should help keep children from climbing and playing there.

Mayor Mike Leonhardt noted that property adjacent to Heritage Park has been purchased by the City. 

It was suggested that the bike path be extended all the way along Third West.  The City also has an easement for a road down to First West that will be used in the future.

The State has decided to build a road into the Marina.  The turning lane will be lengthened into the Marina and a turn lane will be added to allow people to turn into the KOA.  It will not interfere with the bike path in that area.

It looks like next year in the spring that UDOT will be making a truck emergency ramp off Logan road close to the storage sheds and service station.

A traffic light at Bear Lake Blvd. and Logan Road is going to be installed. It should allow a smoother flow of traffic in that area.  Hopefully, cars won’t be backed up to the KOA and even as far back as the Marina.  It was noted that putting the wires etc underground instead of trying to put in more tall poles would really create a nicer and easier intersection.  Howard Pope said he would talk with the UDOT to see if that could be possible.

Jennie Willis was asked if the City could put a tall Christmas Tree in that area below the Logan Road.  She said it would be a good thing and encouraged the City to do that.

The question was asked how the City decides what a home is and what is a hotel.  Parking is becoming a real problem in some areas as a result of not only cars, but all of the trailers, boats, snowmobiles, etc. that are being brought into the area.  The City needs to do something that requires enough parking to handle what is happening in several areas of the City.

Garden City Council Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY , Utah. February 13, 2020.  The Garden City Town Council Meeting was called to order.  Duane Stonehouse owns Timber & Stone Builders, Inc.  He made a request for a license to conduct a general contracting for new construction and remodel jobs.  The business is located at 35 E Spinnaker Point.  The motion was made and passed to give Stonehouse a business license.

Bob Peterson requested a license to conduct a software development company to be located at 69 North Paradise Parkway.  This company will be called Azora Software, LLC.  The motion was made and seconded to allow Peterson to go ahead with his new company.

Jory Wheeler requested a license to conduct an electrical business in Garden City.  The company will be called North Rich Services.  The motion was seconded and passed to grant Wheeler a license.

The Waffle Den & Bakery requested that their printing services be added to their business license.  The motion was made and passed to add this item to their current license.

There were six new short-term rental licenses requested.  After a short discussion the motion was made and passed to allow the six new short-term rentals current licenses.  The new short-term rentals are:  

       Owner                                         Address                                       Property Management

1. Becky & Bo Bower            930 N Yacht Dr #2                     Thrive Marketing Agency

2. James & Chandler Baddley    888 N Newberg Dr #4       Vacasa

3. Euthtmeo, LLC            353 W Wysteria Dr        Euthymeo LLC

4. Huskiez Properties                    667 W Dee Dr                             Vacasa

5. Jams & Nicole Blackham    637 N Lochwood Dr                Vacasa

6. BH Investments, LLC            200 N Bear Lake Blvd                BH Investments

Jeff Jorgensen presented the final plat for Phase 2 that was requested by the Board for the Long Ridge Subdivision located off Hodges Canyon Road above Cherimoya Subdivision.  After a short discussion, it was determined that Phase 2 can move forward.  The motion was made and passed to allow Jorgensen to continue Subdivision work on Phase 2.

Resolution #R20-01, is a resolution updating the administrative code infraction fine schedule.  It was noted that there are sometimes problems in the city dealing with animals.  It was noted that barking dogs can create problems.  It was decided that when barking dogs were trouble in a neighborhood, there would first be a warning asking that the dog be put on a leash.  If there are still problems with a barking dog, there will be a fine of $250.  The motion was made and passed.

Ordinance #20-01 is an ordinance updating the business license ordinance.  It was noted that sometimes businesses want or need to change their business name.  If a business does change its name, the business will need to get a new business license.  It can be done in the City Office.  The motion was made and passed.

The agenda noted that new people would be named for the Planning Commission Board.  There has been such a short time since the Planning Commission met, it will take more time to get to choose enough people to serve in this position.  Two individuals have been selected for this Board.  Kendra Bjoralt and Burt Carlisle. There is a need also for some people to serve on the Board of Adjustment, and the Appeals Board.  These vacancies will be filled at the next City Council Meeting.

A new Administrative Judge has been appointed.  Lance Bourne will be the new Administrative Judge.

Bear Lake Watch Info

MESSAGE FROM PACIFICORP

PacifiCorp Message in Black / [SplashBack commentary in Blue]

EMAIL MESSAGE FROM PACIFICORP: [Which we do very much appreciate; this type of partnership and information -sharing hasn’t always existed] PacifiCorp has set the PacifiCorp Target Elevation (PTE) for Bear Lake to 5,917.4 feet and is adjusting the Bear Lake Outlet Canal flows to achieve the PTE [PTE: This is the elevation they think the lake should be on April 1st in order to best manage the spring runoff] (Bear Lake is currently at 5,918.12 feet).  This target elevation is consistent with current available forecasts and hydrologic conditions, including basin-average snow water equivalent [the SWE from the SNOTEL graphs we show you] which is slightly above normal at 118% of average for February 18th [there’s that ‘Normal” again] and 89% of the typical maximum snowpack observed around April 1st (see plot below).  PacifiCorp personnel routinely evaluate the target elevation and may update it and adjust the Bear Lake Outlet Canal flows to target the revised PTE.