This letter is to talk about our May 2024 management efforts. I came out once in May on the 29th. Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day.
It’s always tricky when we get this much water. On the one hand, I will never complain about the rain. We all need it. Maybe it would be okay if it was spread out a little. It also did not include high, damaging winds. There are even trees down and damaged in the park area. I had to use the boat ramp to launch my boat this time.
Water temperature averaged 82 F. There has been a roughly 10-degree increase since last month. But it is also May. Even with all this rain, we have had relatively warm temperatures. Lake temps are bound to rise as we inch ever closer to Summer.
Alkalinity was 120, down a little since last month, but we have had an influx of fresh water. pH was still high at 8.4. I am just resigned to the fact that the water in Lake Vilbig has a high pH.
There is nothing we can do about it. Everything is out of sorts with all this rain we have had.
I didn’t see much bird life. Ducks and Geese, sure. But that was about it.
The water looked good; it was just a muddy, stained color. Depth readings were around twenty inches; most of the lack of depth readings was just because of the excess sediment in the water. The sediment will take some time to settle naturally. By the next visit, it will be more transparent, provided the rain stops. Other than that, everything looks fantastic as we continue through spring.
Summer is approaching, and we all know what that means. Say goodbye to these pleasant temperatures and hello to the hot summer months.
Thanks, Vilbig Residents!
Chad Fikes
Fisheries Biologist
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