On both of my trips last year (May and July) I noticed the water levels were down significantly, 3-4 feet in the Insula /Alice area.

Curious if these recovered much in the fall or if the winter snowfall has been much so far that will help raise the levels for us this coming year?

Thanks

Snowfall is up this year. Close to record levels but I would suspect that water levels in the lakes, after the initial run-off, has more to do with the size of beaver dams than snowfall.

last june we were on north/south lake the beaver dam that divides it from llc had given out and the water was 5-6 feet low and the channel leading to llc was a big mudflat with a 3' wide 12" deep channel that ran into llc. The whole beaver dam was out of the water unbelievable the amount of wood in that beaver dam it was the largest i have ever seen.

That was one massive dam. I can only imagine the scene when that gave way. Here's a picture of it from the fall of '08

For Reference my buddy is 5'8"

I wonder what happens when a huge beaver dam fails. Is it a catastrophic, all at once kinda-of-a deal? Or does it happen slower. Say over a couple days.

Anyway's, I believe lake water levels have more to do with summer weather. If you have a string of days with no cloud cover plus no rain. A lot of water can evaporate from a lake. Spring run off helps, but, if you have consecutive hot summer days with no rain. That can drop lake levels in a hurry.

2006 TB

That 3 foot channel that was 12 inches deep was fun to paddle a Souris River Quetico 18.5 through in late June!! And the mud flat at the landing on South tried to steal one of my wife's shoes. Me being the nice guy I am, went and dug it out for her! Particularly after the look she had on her face!!

Bruce