9/20/05 – I am pleased to announce that the drought that has plagued Northern Minnesota is finally loosening its grip, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Last week 4 fires were reported within 20 miles of Sawbill. For several days the forest service float planes, known as beavers, were more active than their mammalian cousins who are as busy as ever adding mud to their lodges and storing up food for the winter. To tell you the truth, I was getting a little nervous because the largest fire, approximately 60 acres, was near Pipe Lake, which is less than two miles from my house. As if on cue, the rain gods decided to take pity on us. Perhaps they were also getting tired of the extra rocky portage landings, or maybe they just wanted to show up the weatherman.
Whatever caused the change, droplets of liquid gold were a welcome sight. It rained off and on for several days, and the earth sucked up each drop as soon as it hit the ground. It was enough rain to squelch the forest fires, but the water levels remained low and things still felt dry. Yesterday, that changed when the sky opened up and dumped 1.65 inches of rain on Sawbill. Finally, the ground had drunk its fill and pools and streams formed all around and the water levels began to rise.
Today canoeists were treated to a cloudless, 70 degree day. Perfect fall weather for exploring the BWCAW. – Dave