Tundra Swans are on the river… a large population along Wis Hwy 35, immediately south of Goose Island. At the same time, large numbers of American White Pelicans are resting just north of the Dike above Stoddard. No doubt there are similar populations near Brownsville, MN… let us know if you’ve been over there… and pick up your NEW Volume 1, St. Paul to Dubuque (below) at the Shellhorn Grill just above the birding overlooks in Brownsville!
We don’t talk a lot about Golden Eagles on www.greatriver.com, because they really are few and far between! But I’ve heard twice now since duck hunting started on the Upper River that they’ve been seen by hunters. They are not black and white like adult Bald Eagles, and they are not mottled as many juvenile bald eagles are… look for the Golden ruff on and below the neck. Let us know if you see them.
Tundra swans are being seen in very small numbers, mostly passing by north of Genoa, Wis. and Brownsville, Mn. These are largely the bachelor swans. Family groups will arrive some time in November, just ahead of ice formation on the river. More at www.greatriver.com/swan.htm
American White Pelicans are still clustering in quiet backwaters. Last year we had an overlap of pelicans and tundra swans in November. More at www.greatriver.com/pelican.htm
Had a request recently from a young adult interested in “hopping” a boat down the Mississippi River. In the fall, owners of many larger yachts are moving boats south to warmer climates. Some few will take the Mississippi River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Most will detour through the Tom-Bigby Waterway. But sometimes these yachts do need crew for the journey. We’ve added a “CREW” category to our Travel Directory. So if you are interested in crewing or looking for crew, have a look. Good luck!
Capt. Norman Hillman lived as a professional on America's rivers for over 60 years. In his book he shares his pilot house perspectives on the dangers and suprises of life on the river.
If you are interested in the world of commercial towboat crew, have a look at ONE MAN AND THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI by Capt. Norman Hillman. He shares 60 years of commercial river experiences. Newly reprinted and available at our online shopping cart. I might also recommend THE RIVER COMPANION which is a primer in brown water navigation. The DISCOVER! AMERICA’s GREAT RIVER ROAD guidebooks will introduce you to life and culture of the Mississippi River.
I also just rediscovered a contribution in our feature story section with specific advice for finding a job on a barge crew. Visit http://http://greatriver.com/features/finding a tow job.htm
Limestone bluff and backwater at Goose Island provides a natural easel for Fall Color along the Mississippi River, St. Paul, Minnesota, to Dubuque, Iowa. Photo by Richard Middleton, La Crosse. Graphic work by Tall Tree Photo and Graffolio.
Good folks, I’ve been absent for some time as I worked diligently this summer to meet fall deadlines for publication and distribution of our BRAND NEW Volume 1 of DISCOVER! AMERICA’s GREAT RIVER ROAD. It’s DONE, completely reformated, revisited, and expanded… and it’s ready now for purchase in time for the whole Fall Color and Christmas gift season.
I’m very proud to expanded both the Minnesota and Iowa sections and added many little tidbits that I’ve learned to love in the past 20 years… eagle watching, archaeology, and discovering just who else loves this river… and why!
You can order our newest guidebook right on the home page of www.greatriver.com or visiting our online store for more detail… www.greatriverarts.com/shopping/
Also available from most bookstores. Enjoy!! ~ Pat
With all the talk about flooding in June, and continued above average rainfall in July, we are still getting queries about whether it is safe to travel on the upper river.
Yes, travel is fine. Bridges are open.
The Mississippi River crested last week just over flood stage at around 16.3 feet at Prairie du Chien. The river dropped to about 13.5 feet this week and is forecast to steadily decline to around 12 feet by this upcoming weekend.
The Wisconsin Journal has reported the following park openings as milder weather allows for needed repairs:
Both campground at Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo and the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail have been reopened. Wildcat Mountain State Park is scheduled to reopen July 3.
While the park and campgrounds at Devil’s Lake are open to visitors, a number of trails and facilities will remain closed due to flooding and storm damage, including both the North and South Shore boat landings; most hiking trails; portions of picnic areas; and the South Shore bathrooms. Portable toilets will be available for visitors using the South Shore picnic area. The park’s beach is underwater, but it has tested as safe, and swimming will be allowed. Most hiking trails are closed.
The 400 State BIKE Trail and portions of the Military Ridge State Trail remain closed. Military Ridge is closed in two locations because of standing water under the second box culvert approximately 2 miles west of Verona and approximately one-half mile east of Klevenville on a section of blacktopped trail.
Check the State Parks current conditions page of the DNR Web site for more information.
The Lower Wisconsin River has dropped considerably in the past week and is approaching near normal seasonal flows. Some sandbars are returning but people considering any paddling this weekend need to be aware there is much more debris and more contaminants in the river than normal due to the flooding. The Kickapoo River has also dropped considerably, but is still well above seasonal normal flows.
Rain amounts in the north have finally filled many lakes for the first time in a number of years, although some lakes are still considerably below normal water levels. Northern river systems like the Flambeau and Chippewa are currently at good seasonal levels for paddling.
Though the Wisconsin River has dropped back down to a normal flow level, Lower Wisconsin and Wisconsin River users are staying away due to DNR warnings of contaminated water. All of the streams in Southwestern Wisconsin have been affected by the flooding, causing wide and braided channels.
The floods have scoured silt-laden places and deposited sediment and rock in other. Streams that have been constricted by bridges and culverts have completely blown out or have created large pools downstream. Be aware that in many areas banks have eroded and may give way underfoot. Strong currents in rivers and streams pose an additional threat.
Fishing on the Mississippi River has been getting better as the water recedes, with channel catfish moving to find nests and being very catchable. Fishing for sauger and walleye also picked up a little late in the week.
While rains have diminished and floodwaters are receding, along with the damage they’ve left in their aftermath, mosquitoes are out in hoards, so don’t forget the bug repellant when venturing out this week.
Sheila wrote today wondering if there was a good part of the blog for asking QUESTIONS about traveling the Great River Road. By all means, ask away. I won’t know everything of course, but what I don’t know I’ll try to find out. So check out the category QUESTIONS QUESTIONS
Pat
My husband woke me up early today to look at Eagles on the website, www.iwishicouldfly.com by Alan Stankevitz of La Crescent, Minnesota. Wonderful photography of not just eagles, but a long list of bird photos… including a very clear shot of a red-winged blackbird, wings folded, simply riding on the back of a redtailed hawk. His photos always include something a little unexpected! Alan is passionate about his art, but he is also generous about sharing tips on equipment and offers a journal with highlights from his bird shoots.
OK, folks, I have just found the best You Tube pieces on fishing for river cats (including a GIANT) and catching snapping turtles!! Here they are! First watch the TURTLE MAN catching snappers by hand. Play it through and then you have a choice of several more at the bottom. Try the GIANT CATFISH in film #6. Whew! Finally, if you have a little time, join the “Moron Brothers” in the SHANTY BOAT! A little pickin’ and grinnin’ and fishing! Then check out our weekly fishing updates from Pool 8. Or read a first hand story of a young man’s shanty boat adventure on the Mississippi River in the 1930s.
Below is the USGS map that provides REAL TIME info on which Rivers in the US are cresting. The map below is accurate every day. Black Triangles indicate flood stage. Looking to compare stats with the Flood of 1993? CLICK HERE.
