Current Conditions and Forecasts

This page will be updated occasionally, most frequently when conditions are changing.  Its intent is to aid in trip planning.

Date of report: August 5, 2006

Weather forecasts:
Link to Ironwood MI forecasts
Link to Houghton MI forecasts
Link to daily rainfall, snowfall, and snow depth reports for all of Michigan

Current Snow and Soil Moisture Conditions:
Snow is long gone.

Soil moisture is moderate.  We have had an average amount of rain lately, but prior to that (June, most of July) it was very dry.

Currrent River Levels:
See the following site for river levels on the Ontonagon River at between Rockland and Victoria:                Ontonogan River water level stage at Rockland

Here are two more water level charts, for the Sturgeon River.  The NCT crosses the Sturgeon River near Alston on a road bridge, and it only parallels the Sturgeon near Sidnaw.
                Sturgeon River water level near Alston
                Sturgeon River water level near Sidnaw (Plains Road bridge)

River levels are normal or lower than normal for this time of year.

West Branch Ontonagon River - see this link and above link to river level at Rockland

East Branch Ontonagon River (can be bypassed by following Gardner Road and Forest Road 884).
Unless heavy rain occurs since this web page is posted, crossing the East Branch should not be a problem because of water depths.  However, beware that the stream is muddy due to clay soils, and visibility can be poor.

Phenology:

Phenology is the study of periodic natural events related to climate, such as blooming of plants, migration of birds, etc.

We are transitioning into late summer.  Most birds are done nesting, frogs are no longer breeding, and the woods are getting quieter.  Before the end of the month, expect some birds to leave for the south, and flocks of birds such as flickers will be common.  Late summer wildflowers are appearing (goldenrods, etc.). 

A few apples are ripe, but don't expect most to be ripe until some time in September, at least.  Strawberries are past, but there are still raspberries.  Blackberries and thimbleberries can be found, but they will peak later this month.

Trees have put on essentially all growth for the season.  Insects pests are less common, but a few mosquitos, black flies, and deer flies can still be found.  Ticks are quite rare.

Streams and lakes are warm enough for swimming, as it has been a hot summer (again).

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Last modified:  August 5, 2006