Very interesting clearly mother nature made these storms for a purpose. There is always something good that comes out of what we humans think is bad.:thumbsup:
Even the blizzard had a good side.
Heading back onto the island this afternoon. Coming in on route 47 I pulled over to take a look see along the meadow. This could be one of the best summers in a long time for this valuable hunk of wetlands.
The entire South Jersey wetlands were covered with ice and snow. Some of the deepest and longest lasting that I have seen since I moved here in 1983. Now after three weeks it's just about entirely free of all snow and ice. That three weeks did wonders out there.
It almost looks manicured from a distance. Right down to the edge of the narrow feeder creeks the remains of marsh grass and the fragmites or tall grasses are cut short to the ground. Ice must have been like a weed wacker and clipped them all off during the slow melt. This will give the mud below a chance to breathe and plenty of room for new young healthy plants to grow fast.
Nature needs to do this once in a while. Just like the Mothers Day storm almost two years ago that blew out all the dead piles of old grass that were smothering certain sections of wetlands. The snow and ice removed old vegetation and scraped the old grouth right out of here. It looked amazing how it actually looked like someone had mowed and trimmed the endless acres out there. I'm betting we will see a much healthier wetlands this summer. Nature and her storms can be amazing. Pain in the arse to us but new life for an often overlooked nursery.:thumbsup:
The entire South Jersey wetlands were covered with ice and snow. Some of the deepest and longest lasting that I have seen since I moved here in 1983. Now after three weeks it's just about entirely free of all snow and ice. That three weeks did wonders out there.
It almost looks manicured from a distance. Right down to the edge of the narrow feeder creeks the remains of marsh grass and the fragmites or tall grasses are cut short to the ground. Ice must have been like a weed wacker and clipped them all off during the slow melt. This will give the mud below a chance to breathe and plenty of room for new young healthy plants to grow fast.
Nature needs to do this once in a while. Just like the Mothers Day storm almost two years ago that blew out all the dead piles of old grass that were smothering certain sections of wetlands. The snow and ice removed old vegetation and scraped the old grouth right out of here. It looked amazing how it actually looked like someone had mowed and trimmed the endless acres out there. I'm betting we will see a much healthier wetlands this summer. Nature and her storms can be amazing. Pain in the arse to us but new life for an often overlooked nursery.:thumbsup:
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I have seen years when the ice has changed bottom in mullica,making deep holes
From the most fragile of the grasses on the meadow, to the mightiest of the ainchent cedar trees....... She pruned it all back.
went over by my slip on the 18th street canal the other day...the entire canal is choked with straw from the dead grass..gonna need some ne wind to clear it out!!! meadows should be cleared by april...
I'm hoping you're right, it makes sense. :thumbsup:
Not to bring down this positive thread the wrong way, but I really don't know the whole truth to a frost on wetlands, but I am wondering what is, or could be a downside for us...
Are there any harsh negatives effects that a frost could bring on our SJ wetlands like the one we had for a couple weeks?
Not to bring down this positive thread the wrong way, but I really don't know the whole truth to a frost on wetlands, but I am wondering what is, or could be a downside for us...
Are there any harsh negatives effects that a frost could bring on our SJ wetlands like the one we had for a couple weeks?
The large mounds of black snow melting into our waterways chaps me
No problem. Marshlands always freeze and in fact if anything the layer of snow and ice will insulate the ground. Would be nice it it would freeze a few million greenheads and gnats out but even that doesn't happen.I'm hoping you're right, it makes sense. :thumbsup:
Not to bring down this positive thread the wrong way, but I really don't know the whole truth to a frost on wetlands, but I am wondering what is, or could be a downside for us...
Are there any harsh negatives effects that a frost could bring on our SJ wetlands like the one we had for a couple weeks?
Almost impossible for the mud that makes up the meadow to freeze very deep. When the tide rises it comes up right through the ground. We seldom even loose many mussels that live in the mud. The ice was great because it gripped all the old grouth especially the larger old stuff that lined the eeder creeks. Then when the ice began moving it just cut the old grouth off and pulled some right out of the ground.
Some forests are the healthiest after a fire has gone through and burnt out the old grouth that chokes the ground. I think this ice is all good for our meadows.:thumbsup:
Healthier and stronger greenheads, I can't wait.
that is a very astute observation. thanks for sharing.
but.......
with all this ice,snow and cold rain what will it do to the minnow exodus come early spring.i hate to think what we will be paying for a pint of minnows in may if they stay buried in the mud until their good and ready!
with all this ice,snow and cold rain what will it do to the minnow exodus come early spring.i hate to think what we will be paying for a pint of minnows in may if they stay buried in the mud until their good and ready!
I think it means this is going to be one of the worst years for SNOTGRASS we have had in a long time :thumbsdown: Sorry to disagree
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