Steve_Balogh wrote:Sparty wrote:Steve_Balogh wrote:Sparty wrote:Steve_Balogh wrote:Sparty wrote:ILRA DNR - the McCabe Rd connector trail that joins Blue just past Spring Mill Pond is once again flooded on the backside of the large sand dune that separates SMP from the south side of the property. Is there any way to look at this & see what it would take to drain that excess water? It was a real problem last year as well. It seems as though the lakes/ponds are very low this year yet the creeks & canal water levels are up.
It's been like that for quite some time, in fact there's tons of water surrounding the whole Spring Mill Pond area that hasn't lowered since last year. Not sure where the DNR would drain excess water to. The area you are speaking of often can be ridden through. Another option is to create a path up that small hill/embankment where the water starts crossing the trail.
2 seasons ago it was dry all year. the problem didn't really crop up til last year. a riding buddy & i are considering your idea - we've talked about it & just need to find the time to do it. doesn't look like it would take too much effort given the soft soil.
The water hole is drying up, today I could ride past without getting wet, only a bit of mud. Looks like it is just a long narrow low spot, that could also be filled in, which might be easier than creating a run up that lip, although hiker traffic seems to be creating a path. The sound of all the frogs around that area was deafening, saw hundreds of them in the adjacent water pools around that section. Great ride there today, seemed like every minute the trails were getting just a bit more greener.
the "hiker traffic" is more like hike-a-bike traffic for those of us that have not been willing to ride thru the water. no doubt it is a low spot but i have been riding into ILRA thru that area for years & it never was a problem til last year. the DNR acknowledged that there was an issue upstream from there that was preventing the water from draining properly. another option i was looking at over the weekend was to simply dig out a trench/drain to get the water to flow better from the low lying area to that canal. ground should be soft & a couple guys with shovels might do the trick.
I was thinking that too, however, make sure those levels are where you think they are - almost looks to me the canal could flow into the hole.That's one of my entry and exit points for many of my fatbike excursions. One thing that bummed me out was the bridge a few people made across a low level water spot NE of there, perhaps that's blocking some water. I can no longer ride through that section, have to walk my bike over all the junk to cross. Here's the water crossing I'm talking about, a few years before the junk was tossed in there to make a bridge:
Has anyone spoken to someone at the park office about this lately? There has been a regime change, so those in charge may not be aware of the issue. You guys seem to have a good handle on the problem so it might be best if you were the ones to bring it up.
I have just posted a Trail Day for April 21st. If this issue hasn't been resolved, come out and let's address it then.
Check in with the rangers over there if you guys need it. There should be a small printed sign saying "MMBA-For Trail Use Only" by the pile to avoid any confusion. 
