 On Beautiful Lake Chetek 2626 7-1/4 Avenue Chetek, Wisconsin 54728 toll free 1-800-576-4492 |
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News, Changes, and Rearrangements
Please Note: Rainbow's End Resort will no longer be able
to sell fishing licenses. Please get your license at one
of the authorized Agents in Chetek.
In this issue:
Rocks, Riprap, and Rot
Tale of the Leaning Pines
Seaweed Hitchhikers
Mussels
Firewood
Also of newsworthy note:
$20 Fish
There have been no reports of Eurasion milfoil or zebra mussels in the Chetek Chain.
Many of our guests come from areas that are already affected.
We ask everyone to check your boats and trailers to prevent the spread
of these and other invasive species.
Thank You !!
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For the News Archive, <click here>
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We've been looking forward to repairing the Rainbow's End Resort shoreline for several years. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) requires that major shoreline repairs with natural and ecologically sound methods. For us, this meant taking out the wooden seawall and installing riprap, or rock shoreline. |
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In places, the soil had eroded three feet or more behind the old seawall. |
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Arrival of the RipRap |
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All Seasons Services of Chetek won the bidding and was very helpful throughout the process.
We obtained a permit for the work from the WDNR. Fortunately for us, they approved the work very quickly. |
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| From a pile of rocks to riprap took a couple of weeks, with a day or two after rains to let the mud dry. |
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It's Not Just Dumping Rocks on the Shore |
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| First, the old seawall had to be torn out. This involved several people in waders sawing off the uprights, working as long as they could in the cold November water. |
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Because our schedules didn't match, the pictures show only the work done. The people and machinery remain unseen, though their work lives on!
A rainy day or two slowed the work. |
| After removing the old seawall, the rock that had been placed behind the seawall had to be removed also. |  |
Then the dirt was lined with a reinforced fabric that prevents erosion of the soil.
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Finally, rocks of varying sizes were placed over the fabric.
Some docks need no more work, but others will get an approach ramp in the spring to get over the riprap. |
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| Freezing weather set in early in November in 2006. The last section of rock placement required removal of lake ice that got up to an inch thick before the work was finished. |
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| Almost since we first needed tree service, our "tree guy" has cautioned us about the pines along the driveway retaining wall on the path to the office.
The trees affected are just to the right of the path in this picture. Due to uneven growth and other considerations, the tree show was also removed. Near the office porch we placed an old stump that is now used for a squirrel feeder. We've had up to ten squirrels at a time visit there. |
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They have been leaning more and more with the prevailing winds. Winter snow loads have always been a worry.
With early predictions (hopes) of a very snowy winter, we decided to continue our gradual reforestation effort with the removal of these potential hazardous pines. |
| The maple at the fork in the driveway to Birch was well started when we arrived in 2002. It will get needed extra sunlight and will be able to flourish now. |
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The small maple near Twig doesn't replace the shade of the huge oak that was becoming a hazard to both Twig and Wildwood. That oak was removed in 2005. The new maple has had a good first year and looks healthy for the coming season. |
| Visit the WDNR web site describing the threat Eurasian milfoil poses to Wisconsin fisheries. | "Seaweed", really fresh water vegetation from our lakes and streams, may seem harmless enough, but the Eurasian milfoil is spreading damage throughout the Midwest. It closely resembles native vegetation which provides good fish habitat. But the Eurasian milfoil, which can hitchhike unnoticed on boats and trailers, crowds out native vegetation and harms the fisheries. Check your boat and trailer every time you launch. Remove any weeds as well as mussels, snails, or other material. | |
| Visit the WDNR web site showing photos of this little menace. | The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a tiny (1/8-inch to 2-inch) bottom-dwelling clam native to Europe and Asia. They can hitchhike along with weeds and are hazardous to the fishery. Check your rig and clean then off! A good power wash of boat and trailer is in order when you travel away from home. | |
| Vist the WDNR web site explaining about the emerald ash borer and how this ruling prevents its spread. | The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has ruled that no firewood may be transported into Wisconsin from out of state and that any firewood in Wisconsin cannot be transported a distance of more than 50 miles. As this includes most of our summer visitors, many of whom may not keep current on Wisconsin law, the WDNR has asked us to let you know about this ruling. We don't encourage burning wood in our charcoal grills. Those who bring their own outdoor fireplaces should plan on getting wood locally. Kirkwood's in Chetek usually has bundles of firewood for sale in the summer. | |
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