Toxic algae

[unoperro]

Here are some pics of our flooding that is down from the spring but still widespread.
Algae grows in the stagnant pools and ponds. We had a week of 90+ weather a couple of weeks ago. Heat and a lack of wind made for deadly algae blooms. This algae probably isnt toxic but losing a dog is a tough way to find out.

 

[unoperro]

Flood level is going down. Note grass on fence showing previous depth.
This is the Big Sioux River which empties into the Missouri River.

 

[unoperro]

This is spring flood level in the middle of July.
High water everywhere here has been a real bonanza for waterfowl. We see pelicans in the flooded cornfields. Many birds didnt bother to continue migrating to their breeding grounds in North Dakota and Canada.
How my beloved Pheasants are faring is hard to tell as so much vegation limits seeing them.

Oh and we got a couple inches of rain last night.

 

[unoperro]

Water level on the fenceline from mid july.

 

[unoperro]

So last thursday the Big Sioux had finally receeded into its banks for the first time all year. Well we have had a foot of rain since then and flooding continues.

SiouxFalls, the states largest city, was hit with 3 tornados. Family there are all ok but staggered by the ferocity of mother nature around them.

We have a Pheasants Forever youth hunt on Oct. 6th . Have 3 real nice pieces of grassland for the hunt. This rain has them pretty wet now so like the area farmers hoping for heat and drying wind.

If we get a early frost this year the farmers will really be devastated.

 

[unoperro]

So we got even more rain. The road (from previous pics showing the fenceline) is now under water.
My sister has a place on the lake. Her neighbor has lived tgere 60 years and said he has never seen the lake higher. He says the lake went up 8feet in 12 hrs.

Pic of my sisters shoreline. The little screened in "bar" is 30 feet from the shore. It also normally is about 8 feet above water level. The light green is all algae. Not highly toxic but still not good.