Marsh Water Level

The water level in the marsh at Beaver Hollow is the lowest it has been in the last decade. The cause of this water level drop is the extended drought conditions in far northern Wisconsin. The Bayfield peninsula is currently considered “abnormally dry”. The small amount of rain we’ve received this summer has soaked into the ground and migrated into the aquifer. Surface water and ground water are an interconnected system at North Pikes Creek. Hence, when ground water levels decline, there is less surface water in the marsh. There is prolific growth of vegetation along the boardwalk this summer; the temporarily drier soil has allowed the plants to grow to their full-size. Water level fluctuations in wetlands are a natural phenomenon. The water level in the marsh will increase with normal snow melt and spring rains – perhaps next year.