Protecting the ephemera we depend on

The oversized pool of water in the back yard has shrunk remarkably the past few days. We suspect most of the diminution is due to surface frost leaving the ground. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources hasn't yet updated their frost depth information for this year (2019) but the University of Minnesota is reporting unfrozen soil from 0" to 7" below the sod, which would allow the edges of our "pond" water to begin seeping toward groundwater and disappear from the surface.

ephemeral snow circles feed groundwater

Photo by J. Harrington

None of the preceding, however, accounts for our annual befuddlement about how long it takes for snow drifts to melt once we begin to get warmer weather. In some parking lots, where the snow has been piled to the height of a small mountain, we understand the traces lasting until the onset of Summer. With 90% or more of the open fields behind the house bare, what accounts for the remaining snow's ability to persist? A couple of years ago we had an overabundance of pocket gophers. The mounds they created made for interesting patterns during late Winter, early Spring, snowfalls. We still haven't figured our if they were tunneling through frozen or thawed soils.

Most years, come August, it's hard to find any water at all in our "wet spot." That tells us that the groundwater level has dropped, not that there was no water there last Springtime. Many cycles in nature, and even in Nature, are ephemeral. As Merriam-Webster points out:

The Mayfly Helps to Illustrate Ephemeral. Adjective. The mayfly (order Ephemeroptera) typically hatches, matures, mates, and dies within the span of a few short hours (though the longest-lived species may survive a record two days); poets sometimes use this insect to symbolize life's ephemeral nature.

So, maybe you'll agree with us that, just because something is ephemeral does not mean it's unimportant. If so, consider telling that to the U.S.E.P.A., that you want them to protect the waters on which you and the mayfly, and, for many of you, your water supply, depend. Trout Unlimited is among the conservation organizations that's made it easy to support clean water. Follow this link to the page on their web site that shows how many local waters are classified ephemeral or intermittent, and how to tell EPA you want them protected.

The Mayfly

By Douglas Florian

A mayfly flies

In May or June.

Its life is over

Far too soon.

A day or two

To dance,

To fly—

Hello

Hello

Good-bye

Good-bye.

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