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are there any Lakes that you wouldnt drink from?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:21 pm
by hermsker
Taking a sawyer mini and some tablets for backup so it will be filtered, but are there any lakes on IR that you simply would not drink from no matter how its filtered? Just trying to plan water fills each day along the way. All info is appreciated. Thanks

Re: are there any Lakes that you wouldnt drink from?

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:37 pm
by Ingo
Nope, unless there's an algae bloom--the rangers will let you know if that's an issue in your orientation. It doesn't happen every year, but it has on occasion, usually later in the summer.

Re: are there any Lakes that you wouldnt drink from?

Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:09 am
by fonixmunkee
hermsker wrote:Taking a sawyer mini and some tablets for backup so it will be filtered, but are there any lakes on IR that you simply would not drink from no matter how its filtered? Just trying to plan water fills each day along the way. All info is appreciated. Thanks
I'd drink out of any lake on IR with a filter, with the exception of any lakes that may have an algae bloom (as Ingo said). The Rangers will let you know right away upon your arrival to the island if such a thing exists. It's only occurred once in recent memory.

I've drank water filtered out of a puddle that was listed on the IR map as a "stream" once. The water was perfectly fine, save for a very earthy taste.

Also, tablets are ineffective to make water safe on IR. You should boil your water if your filter quits on you.

Re: are there any Lakes that you wouldnt drink from?

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 5:49 am
by philranger
There was a stretch of water on the Minong that was traversed by a very long plank bridge. It looked like liquid manure. I have never been so nervous crossing a plank bridge as I was at that moment. One false step and in you would be submerged. It seemed to go on forever and I was so thankful to be off of it and not falling in. I wonder if anyone has ever fallen in and then I thought about the people who constructed it and wondered what they were thinking about while they were working. YUCK.