That Groundhog Needs a Better Crystal Ball

We frequently get questions about the lake level. Understandably customers are interested in how much water is in the lake right now and maybe with that information they can approximate how much water will be in the lake later in the spring & summer. Not possible. Unless we have a winter season that is so over-the-top, it's impossible to gauge the lake level months in advance. Even if you thought you could, you would compare this winter to last winter and easily see that the snow pack is lower this year. This would lead you to conclude the lake level would be lower this year. If that were the case, how do you explain that right now the lake is 3 1/2 ft (vertical) higher than the same time last year? That's a huge difference!

The snow pack itself is not the only factor that affects the lake level. After last winter's storms, we hoped for more water in the lake in 2008. However, a warm spring came early and because Topaz Lake is used for irrigation water, the farmers & ranchers started "calling" for water earlier than normal. The runoff to the lake was excellent last spring, but it was literally like "in one river, out the other" and the lake reach just over half full statistically.

So far, this winter has proved to be rather weak, but weather in this month is helping tremendously. I hear through the grapevine (usually better than weathermen) that March maybe a good month, too. It's all good though, because no matter how much water we have in the lake there is plenty for boating, etc. I have noticed though that lake level does affect how most summer vacationers spend their day: If it's high, with little beach area, they spend more time coming and going to their campsites. If it's low, with a lot of beach area, you can bet there is a lot of packing up in the morning and spending the day on the beach.

What is our ideal lake level? I personally like to see the lake fill up every year with a decent runoff from the previous winter's snow pack. Usually late June is when the lake reaches it's highest point and then the water level gradually goes down through the summer. Unfortunately due to too many factors, we don't always get our ideal wish every year.

Father Knows Best

Over the next 5 weeks we will be spending significant time outdoors cleaning up the park for customers to arrive. This is no small feat I might add, however cleaning up the Park brings about a great sense of pride towards our little lakeside paradise. We drag out every imaginable piece of equipment to clean all the nooks and crannies, too. Though the dumptruck, tractors, power blowers and rakes are by far the most used in our annual after-winter cleanup.

Years ago, my father literally taught us how to rake in the Park more efficiently. I think there was some serious eye rolling on our parts as we thought, "Seriously? We have to be taught how to rake?" But I can say without hestitation after all these years: He was right. There is a method to the madness of how to use all equipment to clean more efficiently. I personally enjoy the power backpack blower and relish the damage I can do to a wall of leaves in a few hours. And Dave & I have perfected a method - something we like to think we developed - called Power Raking. You'll just have to use your imaginations.

We have had friends help us occassionally over the years to help with this big clean. Both Dave & I have had to kindly educate them on the art of using a rake or blower more efficiently. We get a small chuckle when they get this look on their face that says, "Seriously? I have to be taught how to rake?" Believe it or not, yes you do. Right, Dad?

TA DA! Our New LakeCam

Finally... With much thanks to my web designer, Shelly, local tech & computer support, Nick, as well as the great service at StarDot.... We have our new and very, very improved Lake Cam! There is still some tweaking to do, but it is running and about 95% where I want it. It will be be running during all seasons, all weather, barring any technical glitches (knock on wood.)

If you are finding that you cannot see the visual feed on the LakeCam, you probably need to go to Java.com to update or install Java in order to view the picture. I check the camera everyday and, with the exception of power outages, the camera has been running 100% all the time.

Enjoy!!!

Lake Cam Update

We are diligently working on the installation of the new Lake Cam. I am hoping that this will be completed in the very near future. So far we have completed the installation of separate bandwidth for the Lake Cam, which was tedious! The hardwiring and physical installation is scheduled next and after that we just need to install it in the website. Do I sound like I know what I'm talking about? I'm at that stage of computer/tech education that I know just enough to get me in trouble! David is playing an entirely different ballgame than I: He thinks he knows what he is talking about and it does get him in trouble! I won't let him near my computers because "delete" is his favorite button.

Sunny Days

Happy New Year everyone! Another year gone, another ahead with hopes and plans. Invariably, once the new year comes people start thinking about their vacations and summertime. Since we are sitting in the middle of snow and cold right now I thought it would be fun to post a summertime picture.....

Meet Michael Alan. He is one of the many kids who look forward to vacationing at our Park every year. For Michael Alan his days are full of boating, skiing, playing with his friends and cousins. The thought of TV, school and the family dog at home rarely cross his mind while he vacations with his family for two weeks in the summer at Topaz Lake RV Park.

I can relate to Michael Alan because I, too, was a kid at Topaz just like him (many, many years ago!)

Goodbye 2008. Hello 2009.

Happy New Year everyone! 2008 is nearly gone and 2009 is ready at the gates... Always with each new year I expect the calls to start pouring in about 2009 reservations. I suppose it's a natural process that once the holidays are over people start thinking about their 2009 vacations. I will start working on the 2009 reservation puzzle very soon. Meanwhile for those thinking of warmer months, enjoy a summer picture. (July, 2008)

And to the many fisherpersons looking forward to the season this year, the Departments of Fish & Game in both California and Nevada have both stocked Topaz Lake with plenty of fish for your catching! On 1/2/09 I will post a picture of opening day on the lake... If tomorrow is like any opening day before - regardless of weather - you could play hop scotch with the boats on the lake. Tomorrow's post (already written) is for my in-laws-in-laws, including one of my favorite kid pictures of one of my favorite kids. (He's family, I can't help it!)

Health, Happiness and many Blessings to you all.

Weather vs. Crowds

Winter is officially here. Tomorrow is the actual "start" of the winter season, but mother nature has her own schedule. The snow and wind started howling last night and it hasn't stopped yet. I tried to get a picture of the blowing snow drifts but just couldn't stay outside long enough to get a decent picture. Too cold! I plan to go into town today to run some errands, but the weather is making it very hard for me to be enthusiastic about being outside. I have decided to plow forward because truthfully I would rather brave the weather today than brave the crowds this weekend!

I hope you are warm and toasty wherever you are.

First Snow

Yesterday morning provided a beautiful sunrise. It was gray and yellow. I hope you can see that in the pix. Today the sunrise was bright gray as the fog on the lake extended well into the Park.

The Goose Whisperer

Everyday we feed our ducks. And in the winter months we are joined by Canada geese. They wait until the ducks are done feeding and then finish up. There is a small group of 7 geese that are more accustomed to our presence and will come within feet of us. It is not uncommon at all to see several hundred geese at one time on the shore line. I think they come to us first because of the food and second it is a safe zone from the hunters you can often hear in the distance.

Same View, Different Day

Winter storm! Well, technically it is still fall, but it sure feels cold enough to call it winter!