Ice is Almost Out

It is getting closer to that wonderful time of year when the ice melts off the river and boaters of all kinds start getting anxious to get on the river. All around you see boat dealer specials and lots of advertising for river fun. Houseboating Excursions went down to Pettibone Marina to check the status on the ice melt and the river stage. The ice is almost completely out and the temperatures for the future are looking good, they are forecasting highs close to 70 degrees and it can only get better.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has issued a NO WAKE on the Mississippi River in the La Crosse area because the flood stage of the river is above 10 feet. This is an automatic warning that goes into effect when the river reaches this level. The flood stage is 12ft. in La Crosse,WI. The flood stage is a guide to warn the public that the water levels are at a point to start overflowing river banks and could start to cause flooding in some areas. In these photos you can see that even just slightly below flood stage some areas are already under water. 

When boating it is important to know what the river stage is in your area and to have a map of the pool you are in as there are many dangers under the water such as wingdams, log pilings, stump fields and underwater sandbars.  It is always  recommended that you stay in the main channel of the river to avoid these obstacles especially when traveling at high speeds. If you venture toward a sandbar or another destination do so slowly and cautiosly. Remember SAFE BOATING is FUN BOATING. 

Please continue to follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we cruise and explore new destinations and provide more information. Help support our 2010 campaign and stop the Invaders: Don't Move Firewood and Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.

    

Don't Move Firewood

The boating and camping season is fast approaching the Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa region and it is time to start planning. Here at Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley we have learned that there is a multi-state campaign going on right now to educate everyone about the importance of exotic invaders that are trying to destroy our ecosystem. Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley is dedicated to helping inform everyone of these dangers. The campaign we are discussing is called "Don't Move Firewood". It is about helping stop the spread of a bug called the "Emerald Ash Borer". This little bug is responsible for destroying Ash Trees in several different states. It was recently detected in Wisconsin and Minnesota in the summer of 2008. It was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, it is believed to have come to the United States on a bundle of wood stored on a ship coming from somewhere in Asia. The Emerald Ash Borer targets mainly Ash trees and is rapidly spreading across the country. Please use the link "Don't Move Firewood" to make a pledge that you will help to stop the spread of this invader, the website also has questions and answers and some small quick videos. It is very important to buy firewood and immediately burn it in the state you purchased it in to help stop the spread. If caught transporting wood from one state to another it could lead to forfeiture of the wood and/or fines.The United States Department of Agriculture has an Emerald Ash Borer Hotline 1-866-322-4512 to call for more information.
Please continue to follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we explore more cruise stops and provide more information.