For the week 8/9 - 8/15 2026 ----- EARLY MORNING TEMPERATURES at Data collection: Aurora: 56, 61, 59, 60, 57, 55, 54 & Kingsford : 57, 60, 60, 60, 56, 55, 54 -----Highs this week still in the low 80's------ 
WATER CONTENT IN THE GAUGE: AURORA - 0, .01, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0  Total= .01" KINGSFORD - 0, T, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 Total= trace ----- 
SNOWFALL- Aurora and Kingsford : nothing no snow -----

MENOMINEE RIVER: Water levels all week at a low summer water flow height in the 900's and have had beach for 2 weeks and took a boat ride west and when I reached the island and curve I had to raise my motor and literally crawl through as to not chip off my propeller blades the amount of silt along with the low water level making it almost impossible to pass through. I know I won't be taking my boat through there until the water rises substantially. I feel for the home owners that built on the river and the existing ones west of the island as they have to risk taking a chance going through there and not damage their motor props just to enjoy the water east of the island and it is both sides of this island. Unless you know this stretch of the river, I would not drive my boat west and north of the island.  This is by far the most sand and silt I have ever seen in my lifetime at this point and this area needs to be dug out along with large portions of the river west and north of this island. Also, the tubers who use the river to float, have to walk 1/4 to 1/2 mile just to be able to start from the state provided canoe access point down. The Ford Dam to the island is getting filled up and wondering if this has ever been dredged since its construction? It needs to be dealt with and probably the reason why the river in the spring, the water level is so damned high as they are not taking into account of all of the sentiment below it. It is getting filled up with sand and silt and it is time it for it to be addressed. It has been over 100 years since the dam was built and when was the last time the sand/silt was dug out?  -----

US DROUGHT MONITOR: The map shows Moderate drought and that's an understatement for most of us as we have dried out brown grass except in areas heavily shaded or in spots where afternoon sun doesn't reach. I have NOT had to MOW grass at my house here in Aurora or my daughters in Kingsford since AUGUST 3rd. Burned patches and brown grass overall-----

WILDFIRE RISK: Aurora and & Kingsford are in the Very High category and are living in a TINDERBOX currently and is getting concerning ----- 

TOURISM: Another good week for tourism a few less campers I noticed from last week and boats, only a few being towed and very few people on the river this week. Only the people who live east of the island have been out -----

BUSINESSES: HVAC and construction vehicles at an increase. Saw 0 farm equipment. Larger construction vehicles with oversized loads and the alike this week. Loggers have been steady this week but a little less than the week prior. -----
 
AIR QUALITY: Fire smoke still in the air but only a day or two where you could smell it ------ 

WILDLIFE: Abundance in Deer and they have stayed along the river as they have a beach access. Seen quite a few bedded on the shore to keep cool. Blue herons on the river as well and saw a young one with its' parent. Canadian geese and ducks, heard an owl, saw hawks, crows and ravens. Seagulls showed up last week. What I haven't seen are eagles and am waiting for the night hawks to start migrating south as it is getting close to the time they start flying overhead ----- 

PLANTS: Red Maple in my yard is 1/3 covered in red leaves and some dropping trying to preserve itself and my other maple dropping dried up leaves and box elders this week, an increase in leaf dropping as well. Wild Onion I planted bloomed fully last week and still doing okay with no watering in the shade of my Sumacs I planted. Black Eyed Susans also okay in the shade but unwatered ones their leaves starting to dry out on the stems at my neighbor's. Burned patches from hot spots, brown grass spots everywhere throughout this area. We need rain and we need it badly!! ----- 
That's all I have for this week, enjoy your weekend