Approximately three miles east of Ely lie six bodies of water which have, through the years, come to be called the White Iron Chain of Lakes. These lakes – Birch, White Iron, Farm, South Farm, Garden, and, eventually, Fall Lake, comprise a major portion of the Kawishiwi River Watershed which flows from the higher elevations in the BWCA's interior into the non-wilderness waters of the Chain and then back into the wilderness once more. For many years the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA), comprised of landowners and other interested stakeholders, has met periodically to discuss shared interests relating to their lakes. Recently, concerns have centered on water quality which impacts all local shoreline as well as visitors, and, of course, wildlife.
Specific objectives are to gather watershed data necessary for the development of a comprehensive watershed management plan that will provide even greater water quality protection than what the State of Minnesota currently requires. The association wants to continue and, indeed, expand its current water quality monitoring program to provide a comprehensive overview of the following conditions: 1) current trophic conditions throughout the Kawishswi Watershed; 2) a comparison of the water quality of BWCAW lakes with that of lakes in developed areas; 3) the effect of ground water run-off and problem sewage systems; 4) impacts of climate change; and 5) Identification and assessment of fish and wildlife habitat.
Not standing alone with these activities ,WICOLA has begun the process of integrating and coordinating its monitoring activities in the Kawishiwi drainage with all agencies, wilderness research institutions and other organizations having an interest in the area. These include Minnesota Power, the DNR, MPCA and Lake County.
A stated need, perhaps one of the highest priorities, is to build on the previous heavy metals data from Birch and White Iron lakes. Paleolimnological investigations of lake bottoms can measure concentrations of metals, pollen and other materials in pre-settlements periods and, in so doing, establish a data baseline that can help measure any changes due to human activities. The nefarious potential of metallic sulfide mining activities at the southern end of Birch Lake appear to make the understanding of current conditions in the Chain of Lakes absolutely vital.
NMW strongly supports WICOLA and its efforts to secure the highest quality water throughout the Kawishiwi drainage system. For more information and to register your support contact, Larry Squillace at lsquillace@frontier.net
Sierra lawsuit against Forest Service dismissed
Duluth News Tribune 27 Jan, 2009
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the Sierra Club and
other groups that challenged parts of the long-term plan for the
Superior National Forest. (more)