BLANCHARDVILLE - Gene Kolb's track hoe roared to life along the banks of the Pecatonica River last weekend to complete a task unlike any it had ever attempted.
"I do a lot of things that nobody else wants to do," said Kolb, owner of Gene Kolb's Specialties out of Argyle.
The cottonwood tree was massive - five-and-one-half feet in diameter, 15 feet, eight inches in circumference and a root-to-treetop length easily capable of reaching the other side of the river.
So how does one lift such a monster tree from this watery grave? "Use common sense," Kolb reasons.
"You have to find where the leverage is at," Kolb said, as the business end of the machine grappled with bulky limbs cut from the main trunk. "Use whatever you can - take advantage of the current," he added.
There was no one there to hear the thunderous crashing and splashing sound it must have made when it lost its foothold on the water's edge during the spring flood of 2008. As a result, however, the tree's massive trunk and canopy made navigation difficult for the scores of fishers and canoeists who travel the river each summer.
While Kolb maneuvers his machine into position, chainsaw-wielding members of the Blanchardville Rod & Gun Club, confirmed "River Rats" all, are snipping branches and slicing up great chunks of wood for removal. In an important support role, Wayne Smith of Argyle ferries workers and equipment to and fro in his flat bottom boat.
Al Gruenenfelder is one of those River Rats who spends much time plying the waters of the Pec, from the southeast corner of Iowa County to Blanchardville and on downstream to the village of Argyle in Lafayette County.
Grunenenfelder can tell you the location of the latest logjams, and will be the first one on the scene when he and several of his Rod and Gun Club buddies decide its time to clear away an obstruction.
The tree has made weekend cruises from Blanchardville to Argyle a problem, according to Gruenenfelder, who has worked at keeping the route open for more than 30 years. "We managed to get under the tree when the water level was low, but that didn't happen much this year," he said.
The obstacle forced a change in the route of the annual Good Friday excursion this year. That event attracts large numbers of participants, including some who are wheelchair bound.
Dan "Ducky" Duckwitz maneuvered his bobcat to help stabilize the tree while the larger track hoe performed the heavy lifting. Duckwitz is another sportsman with a passion for the outdoors and spending time on the river.
While most of the workers are local boys, Lincoln Cook of Mayville is on hand to lend his woodsman's expertise to the effort. He travels to the area on a regular basis to enjoy the multitude of outdoor activities the river and surrounding uplands have to offer.
While a team of approximately a dozen men dismembered the tree, club members Doug Caldwell and Spencer "Spinny" Olson broke out the grill and commenced to cook up generous numbers of brats to go along with baked beans, potato salad, and a selection of choice beverages.
With the project complete, it's time for food and fellowship. "I enjoy the camaraderie," said Ted Gilbertson, who has helped clear many a logjam in the past 25 years. He and his friends travel the river often, fishing or just enjoying a scenic cruise.
While the chance to get together with friends for a good cause is a strong motivation, the group must be mindful of the costs involved in what they do. "It all costs money," Caldwell said, as evidenced by the boats, heavy equipment and half dozen or more chain saws that gulped considerable amounts of fuel during the operation that took several hours to complete.
The most recent effort is one of several required each year to keep the river in a navigable state. Other members of the team included Tom Goebel and David "Mac" Johnson.
Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to contribute to the work that is done on the river to keep it open to the many recreational opportunities the waterway offers. Donations can be sent to the Blanchardville Rod & Gun Club, attention Al Gruenenfelder, 928 Blake Street, Blanchardville, WI 53516.
-Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
"I do a lot of things that nobody else wants to do," said Kolb, owner of Gene Kolb's Specialties out of Argyle.
The cottonwood tree was massive - five-and-one-half feet in diameter, 15 feet, eight inches in circumference and a root-to-treetop length easily capable of reaching the other side of the river.
So how does one lift such a monster tree from this watery grave? "Use common sense," Kolb reasons.
"You have to find where the leverage is at," Kolb said, as the business end of the machine grappled with bulky limbs cut from the main trunk. "Use whatever you can - take advantage of the current," he added.
There was no one there to hear the thunderous crashing and splashing sound it must have made when it lost its foothold on the water's edge during the spring flood of 2008. As a result, however, the tree's massive trunk and canopy made navigation difficult for the scores of fishers and canoeists who travel the river each summer.
While Kolb maneuvers his machine into position, chainsaw-wielding members of the Blanchardville Rod & Gun Club, confirmed "River Rats" all, are snipping branches and slicing up great chunks of wood for removal. In an important support role, Wayne Smith of Argyle ferries workers and equipment to and fro in his flat bottom boat.
Al Gruenenfelder is one of those River Rats who spends much time plying the waters of the Pec, from the southeast corner of Iowa County to Blanchardville and on downstream to the village of Argyle in Lafayette County.
Grunenenfelder can tell you the location of the latest logjams, and will be the first one on the scene when he and several of his Rod and Gun Club buddies decide its time to clear away an obstruction.
The tree has made weekend cruises from Blanchardville to Argyle a problem, according to Gruenenfelder, who has worked at keeping the route open for more than 30 years. "We managed to get under the tree when the water level was low, but that didn't happen much this year," he said.
The obstacle forced a change in the route of the annual Good Friday excursion this year. That event attracts large numbers of participants, including some who are wheelchair bound.
Dan "Ducky" Duckwitz maneuvered his bobcat to help stabilize the tree while the larger track hoe performed the heavy lifting. Duckwitz is another sportsman with a passion for the outdoors and spending time on the river.
While most of the workers are local boys, Lincoln Cook of Mayville is on hand to lend his woodsman's expertise to the effort. He travels to the area on a regular basis to enjoy the multitude of outdoor activities the river and surrounding uplands have to offer.
While a team of approximately a dozen men dismembered the tree, club members Doug Caldwell and Spencer "Spinny" Olson broke out the grill and commenced to cook up generous numbers of brats to go along with baked beans, potato salad, and a selection of choice beverages.
With the project complete, it's time for food and fellowship. "I enjoy the camaraderie," said Ted Gilbertson, who has helped clear many a logjam in the past 25 years. He and his friends travel the river often, fishing or just enjoying a scenic cruise.
While the chance to get together with friends for a good cause is a strong motivation, the group must be mindful of the costs involved in what they do. "It all costs money," Caldwell said, as evidenced by the boats, heavy equipment and half dozen or more chain saws that gulped considerable amounts of fuel during the operation that took several hours to complete.
The most recent effort is one of several required each year to keep the river in a navigable state. Other members of the team included Tom Goebel and David "Mac" Johnson.
Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to contribute to the work that is done on the river to keep it open to the many recreational opportunities the waterway offers. Donations can be sent to the Blanchardville Rod & Gun Club, attention Al Gruenenfelder, 928 Blake Street, Blanchardville, WI 53516.
-Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
