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Open Water In January

January 10, 2012 Posted by: Dale Cox

At a bend in the Namekagon River, thin ice lies between open water and a snow covered bank on a recent January day

Don't underestimate the winter: balance is continuous in nature, regardless of human observance.

It is easy to slip into the pace of this season and from a distance sense an aloofness from these rivers. Time in winter is measured by the chill in the wind, ice advancing over water, the short dark days of December's solstice, and long shadows cast by the Earth's slow dance with the sun. Even those of us that see these rivers daily can slide into sundry daydreams of summer: the cadence of a paddle or the tempo of a fly-rod.

Remember that winter is really just a slowing of nature, not a stopping. Despite their appearances, the rivers continue to flow. In shallow, narrow areas this movement can create open water even in the coldest of years. Ice which does occur must always be viewed with caution and respect, as currents can leave some areas dangerously thin.

In a season as uncommon as we are experiencing, stretches of open water are to be found in many places. Standing on a riverbank in January listening to the movement of water can be a warm reminder of the seasons to come.

The open waters of the Namekagon River flow around a bend and past a snow covered shoreline.

Winter, Ice




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    December 12, 2012 at 03:53

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Did You Know?

What looks like a striped fish with several tails is actually the opening of the mussel shell which is hard to see.

Mussels rely on fish to carry their young around until they are old enough to drop to the river bottom.  To attract the fish and attach their young, mussels put on displays that make fish think they are fish or other food.  The mussel shell, which is all we normally see, is now barely visible.