A New Island for Far West?

Something is floating at the water surface just south of the smaller island in Far West.
What is it? Organic matter (peat) that became submerged under the water during or before the creation of the lakes. As this organic matter slowly decomposes (as oxygen and temperature allow). The gases released during this decomposition process can become trapped in the peat. Under these conditions the peat can become less dense than the water and “lift” to the surface. The process is similar to filling a hot air balloon.
At the surface, wind and boat wave action can liberate or shake the gases loose from the floating peat island causing it to sink back to the bottom. The chunk of peat at the surface in Far West is only a few feet across. This scenario has been playing out in East Lake for years with two larger peat islands. A loon nested on the smaller peat island this year. This same island may be submerged next year. The larger floating East Lake peat island (just North of the marina) blew along shore this spring. It was pulled on shore and removed just recently. The piles of rich organic peat are excellent for supplementing nutrients in garden soils. If you do use some in your garden remember the organic matter may be slightly acidic and it must be mixed with sandy or loamy soils to ensure proper drainage.
What is going to be done about the floating peat in Far West? Because of its small size, location (the center of a “No Wake” lake) and the fact that it appears to still be attached to the bottom this late in the season, we can allow Mother Nature to solve this problem on her own. If this chunk of peat has not already settled back to the bottom before ice cover, it will very likely settle down due to the ice cover. We shouldn’t see it next spring but we’ll keep our eyes peeled as always.