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Views and opinions: Out boating? If you find the water brown – turn around
 

The recent warm weather has brought a host of kayakers and canoeists out to run the rivers and streams here in Indiana. Nothing is more fun than a leisurely trip down a river or stream, floating past the wildflower-covered banks while bathing in the luxury and warmth of Mother Nature.

Among the beauty and tranquility, though, danger can lurk in the form of spring rainstorms. Midwest storms can quickly drop 2 or 3 inches of rain. Even though there may have been no rain in the local area, storms farther up the watershed can send river and stream levels to dangerous levels within a few hours.

The heavy rains can turn even the most peaceful stream or river into a raging torrent, producing Class 4 rapids and some of the most dangerous river conditions imaginable.

Downed trees called “sweepers” pose the greatest danger. If the stream or river is blocked by a tree, the current can pull a boat or kayak into the limbs, turning the craft sideways of the flow and causing it to capsize. Even if the occupants are wearing lifejackets, the current might pull them into the limbs and hold them underwater with no escape.

I have seen two channels of a river with the water roaring around an island. Where the two flows of water came back together and met, giant waves were formed that would flip a kayak and dump even the most skilled canoeists. What had been a peaceful waterway the day before was quickly turned into a horrific flow no one should consider entering.

Another relentless threat is a low-head dam where the water runs over the structure and produces a rolling underwater current at the base of the dam. A current will grab a person and continually roll them back to the base of the dam and submerge them – even when wearing a lifejacket.

My advice is, if you come to a stream or river and the water is brown – turn around. Brown, murky water is a sure sign the river or stream is flowing at higher than its normal rate and may present unimaginable downstream dangers.

If you still want to enjoy some time in your kayak or canoe, I suggest heading to one of the lakes or reservoirs in one of our state parks and doing some leisurely paddling. And always, wear a lifejacket – my good friend and retired conservation officer Monte Beaver once said, “I’ve never seen a drowning victim wearing a lifejacket.”

Alcohol and vehicles don’t mix

Indiana conservation officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident occurring in Washington County early on April 28. Mark Gumaelius, 32, of Salem and one of his two adult passengers suffered injuries as he was operating an ORV on Rooster Hill Road, north of Salem.

Shortly before 1 a.m., Gumaelius attempted to turn onto Rooster Hill Road and lost control and struck a tree. One passenger was transported by ambulance to Schneck Medical Center in Jackson County. Gumaelius was ejected, knocked unconscious, and suffered head injuries.

Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor and, as a result, Gumaelius is facing pending charges of Operating an ORV Under the Influence of an Alcoholic Beverage.

None of the occupants were wearing helmets or using safety equipment. For more information on ORV safety, see offroad-ed.com/Indiana

Mushroom bonanza

The calls of record finds of morels keep pouring in as the mushroom-hunting season has shaped up to be something we haven’t seen in years. I can’t explain it; in years past I have seen similar wet conditions, similar temperatures, and a similar amount of cloudiness and sunshine. But this year is a real bonanza for many.

One big question comes with a bumper find: what do you do if you have more than you can eat, share with family, or even have room to leave in the refrigerator? My first suggestion is to contact me by email at your earliest convenience, and I will be more than happy to help alleviate your morel burden.

Actually, I did have a good friend call wanting to know if there is a way to save extras. Slice the mushrooms and soak them in salt water to get rid of insects and dirt. Rinse them well and lay them on wax paper on a cookie tray. Make sure the pieces don’t touch, and freeze them.

Once frozen, layer the pieces in covered plastic tubs between sheets of wax paper: a layer of mushrooms, wax paper on top, a layer of mushrooms, wax paper – you get the idea.

I had some stored in the freezer for three years and they still fried up almost as well as fresh. The trick is not to let the mushroom thaw before it hits the skillet.

Prepare your batter and dredge and get your pan ready to receive the mushrooms. Quickly take a mushroom from the frozen container, dip it in the egg wash and roll in the batter. Put it in the skillet immediately. Work fast, and don’t let the tub of mushrooms defrost. Place the unused leftovers back in the freezer.

Avoid planting invasive pear trees

Ornamental pear trees, most commonly known as Bradford pears, have been a popular landscaping tree in Indiana for decades – so popular, they are crowding out native trees. Therefore, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting such trees and to replace them when possible.

“Over time, different varieties of pear have cross-pollinated in our urban areas, allowing them to rapidly spread into our natural resources,” said Megan Abraham, director of the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology.

Cultivated forms of the invasive species are most accurately known as Pyrus calleryana or the Callery pear tree. Commonly available ornamental pear cultivars, all of which are invasive and should be avoided, include Bradford, New Bradford, Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze, Aristocrat, Capitol, Chanticleer, and dozens more.

In addition to being invasive, the cultivars – which are known for their striking white flowers – typically don’t last long. They are structurally weaker and more easily damaged by storms than native trees.

Carrie Tauscher, urban forestry coordinator with the DNR Division of Forestry, said evidence of the trees’ rapid spread is easy to see. “Just take a look for glossy-leaved, egg-shaped trees in highway interchanges. It’s common to find them in unmown areas under utility lines, and in lots and fields initially cleared for construction that are then left fallow.”

Stopping the spread of invasive plants means selecting alternate trees for yards and forested property. The best tree to replace any invasive tree species is one native to a particular region.

If you are looking for an alternative flowering tree for Indiana, serviceberry trees, which have similar white blooms in the spring and fruits attracting wildlife, are one option. Eastern redbuds, which grow quickly with eye-catching lavender flowers in the spring, are another.

To learn more about native trees great for landscaping, visit the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society page at inpaws.org/landscaping

For more information on all invasive species adversely affecting Indiana and ways to help stop their spread, see dnr.IN.gov//3123.htm

Register for Indiana Dunes Birding Festival

Celebrate the migration of bird life through the Indiana Dunes region May 16-19 at the fifth annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival at both Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. This year’s event features nearly 150 individual trips, programs, and workshops.

The four-day festival features guided field trips and carpool tours to view migrating birds within the dunes area, bird and nature-related programs and workshops, live bird of prey talks, a native plant sale, and art instructional workshops for both new birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Registration may be made the day of the festival. Daily and youth rates are also available; visit indunesbirdingfestival.com to learn more.

Learn to fish the river

Come join the DNR for a “Family Learn to Fish the River” workshop in Elkhart on May 18. Families with children ages 6 and older can learn basic river fishing techniques and skills at Island Park from 9 a.m.-noon.

The event is free. No fishing license is required for Indiana residents because May 18 is a free fishing day. Poles and tackle will be provided, but anyone interested in bringing their own fishing equipment is welcome to do so.

Advance registration is required. Registration is open until all spots are filled, at https://bit.ly/2PpqBWr

The workshop is a collaborative effort between the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Elkhart Public Works Department. For more information about free fishing days and related events, visit fishing.IN.gov/3598.htm

 

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.

5/20/2019