Thoughts from Rick Smith
From: Smith, Richard – NRCS-CD, Hayti, SD [mailto:richard.smith@sd.nacdnet.net]
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 4:44 PM
Subject: Lake Poinsett Update Dec 19,2011
Checking in one last time for 2011.
For many Lake Poinsett residents 2011 will be one they would like to forget, but no doubt never will. No predictions of next year yet, but a few items that will have an impact on water issues. The watershed is in a far different position than last year. Hamlin county is officially listed as experiencing a drought which started in July and continues. The soil profile is extremely dry versus last year being in a saturated condition. The small sloughs and wetlands are empty with only the larger ones having surface water at freeze-up time. The upper lakes have quit overflowing or nearly so, which adds some early capacity. Summing this all up, it will take a lot more snow and/or rain than last year's near record amounts to create a repeat of 2011 problems.
Water Level
The lake is frozen for the winter. The gauge no longer measures open water, so this will be the last of the charts for the year.
I am including a PDF of the chart for printing WaterLevel. Have a great Holiday Season.
Winter Has Arrived
Sunday November 20th.
Ice is forming at waters edge and where the weeds protrude. The lake is calm and at 17 inches above the gate sill (6 inches over the Ordinary High Water Mark). The snow geese are still flying south. The pre-dawn on the calm water is errie, but beautiful…
Have a happy and joyous Thansgiving Week
