Jackson Lake water is low

[SkierBob]

The danger of thin ice on Jackson lake could be completely eliminated if the forest service would just heat the water.. wank, wank    

Check out this picture of South lake up Bishop creek taken Saturday 8/3/13

[YardBird]

That's South Lake?   How sad is that..  I caught a lot of fish in that lake in my time.  Cleaning them was somebody elses job though.    What does Rock Creek Lake look like these days?

[SkierBob]

RCL is full.  I believe it is supported by a much larger drainage area. 

[K9luvr]

Gosh, that is downright scary!  And SB--the FS could just get volunteers to chop the ice every morning-should be cheaper than heating the water.  Feeling in shape?   

[RobertW]

Jackson Lake is fed by underground springs and a natural stream that flows out of the canyon to the South of it.  We just had one of the driest winters on record and as mentioned the aquifer or water table, normally filled by melting snow and water runoff, is very low.  Thus Jackson Lake is as low as it has been in a very long time.  Its nothing that a good series of thunderstorms in the right place can't take care of.  Hopefully we get some water this next winter.  If so, Jackson Lake will be full to the brim next summer.

The draining of Jackson Lake in the fall had nothing to do with the danger of people falling through the ice.

[tcaarabians]

As far as having volunteers chop the ice at Jackson.. all I can say is if that ice is anything like my horse water buckets in winter... after you break up the ice and scoop it out.. it freezes right up again.  I'm just guessing here that the lake should likely be chained off at a low enough level so that folks can't really slide into it. Course, that doesn't stop them from walking on it.  I still think a "Warning Alligators" sign would be effective.. but I know the FS wouldn't go for it. cheryl o7o

[SkierBob]

Cheryl here's everything you need to know about keeping your horse water from freezing in the winter time.  To keep on topic it would also work at Jackson Lake on a much larger scale 

a car battery and a 12volt 600watt DC heating element will make your life easier.. and much safer then using an AC system.

http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/hotwater.html

[tcaarabians]

Thanks SkierBob... I couldn't find a 'home site' on that link so I could check out reviews. I did notice the caveat about livestock being electrocuted. But, not theirs evidently - unless it breaks!!

This is what I do ... come freezing time.. I move all their water buckets into their stalls on the sunny side of the barn. The water buckets still might freeze a bit at night but not that much  And, the sun on that side of the barn not only keeps it from freezing again   it also warms up their stalls as well. I also stretch the hose out on the sunny side of the barn in winter..so it doesn't freeze a lot and I can use it.

I don't use automatic waterers for a good number of reasons. 1) You can't tell how much water your horse is drinking; 2) They love to play with it and break it or just watch as water runs in their stalls (silly horses); 3) It freezes in winter. So, I believe in large white buckets. A bit more work,, but worth it. IMHO. That's just me. I also don't have a toaster.. I'm just old fashioned I guess.

You know, the only reason we're really having this discussion is because of snow players on Jackson Lake that fall through the ice. Thanks for the suggestion.. and now... back to Act 2.. the snow players that fall through the ice. The little dimwhats.. cheryl o7o

[SkierBob]

That's South Lake?   How sad is that..  I caught a lot of fish in that lake in my time.  Cleaning them was somebody elses job though.   

South Lake up Bishop creek this morning 9/12/13

[Nolena]

"I still think a "Warning Alligators" sign would be effective.. but I know the FS wouldn't go for it."

The alligators don't need a warning. They're smarter than that.

[K9luvr]

I prefer, "Nature has a way of removing stupid genes from the population"  with the international symbol of a person falling thru the ice.  The smart people would get it, the others....well, like the sign says....

[Big Pines]

I say let nature take care of itself.  If the people are too STUPID to stay off the lake let them meet their fate.  Its NOT and should not be the govt fault to baby sit.  There is talk of draining the lake now every winter so these stupid people don't fall thru the ice.  Give me a break

[SkierBob]

I say let nature take care of itself.  If the people are too STUPID to stay off the lake let them meet their fate.  Its NOT and should not be the govt fault to baby sit.  There is talk of draining the lake now every winter so these stupid people don't fall thru the ice.  Give me a break

Now, now...  One could say the same about those who fail to have proper brush clearance while living in a high fire risk area.   

[tcaarabians]

And, lettuce not forget those that do not floss.

I kind of think some signs in English and Spanish and poles with chains down sort of low to stop sledders or make someone step over them to walk on the lake, What else can you do? We could all chip in to buy some fake alligators.. but then the truly foolish would walk out onto the ice to see the alligator under the ice.  Maybe a pyrannha sign?? Or, a zombie sign?  Kids get zombies.
cheryl o7o

[K9luvr]

Now, now...  One could say the same about those who fail to have proper brush clearance while living in a high fire risk area.

The issue with walking on the ice is you only endanger yourself (or others who try to save your behind).  If you live in an area where houses are close together and your neighbor doesn't do their defensible space, they are putting YOUR house and property at risk.  "The right to swing your fist ends where the other guy's nose begins."   Oliver Wendell Homes Jr.

[SkierBob]

I cleared my neighbors property so their brush didn't endanger my house.
 
couldn't Jackson Lake be considered a man mad hazard, almost like a pool without a fence around it?

[SkierBob]

More low water levels. This is Lake Edison in the center of the photo taken this last weekend. 

[YardBird]

Bob, I'm very curious... where was that photo taken?  Were you flying over?  It was 'back in the day' but I've been deer hunting all over that area with my Dad.  We used to go up to Jackass Meadows / Florence Lake every year.  Lake Thomas Edison was a mean hike, but beautiful.  And then..... I married a city feller.
YB

[SkierBob]

Picture was taken from Kaiser Pass near Mono Hot Springs the view is looking Northeast.