To get lost! In Vernon County: Jersey Valley

Hello. Vern right here. We’re all hiding one thing. I disguise on a regular basis…primarily as a result of there are such a lot of good locations to do it. Generally it is about hiding out within the open and generally it takes one thing huge to find the hiding place. You realize, when you consider it, if nobody was watching, we would not have to cover. Am I proper?

Nicely, so far as Jersey Valley Park is anxious, one thing had been hiding there for years and years till a significant rainstorm revealed it. It’s as if the entire inside of the earth had opened up. Are you aware what I am speaking about? Nicely, it’s important to verify. Should you have been seeking to discover what was hiding all these years in Jersey Valley, you may proceed on the freeway. 27 (often known as Citizen Soldier Freeway) between Westby and Cashton and take County Highway X. County Highway X appears like a curler coaster highway which is sort of enjoyable should you like curler coasters. Anyway, get on the run and hold going and earlier than you realize it you may see an indication for Jersey Valley and you then go a bit additional down the valley and also you’re there. Proper the place you wished to be.

After the massive rain storm of 2018, the Jersey Valley is somewhat completely different than most individuals bear in mind. I do not understand how useful it’s to speak about what as soon as was, however to know the total story, it’s important to know what was. There was as soon as a 52 acre lake which was shaped by a flood management dam. In its heyday, the Jersey Valley lake was an actual leaping spot. People got here from miles round to paddle their boats and fish for largemouth bass and sunfish. There was even a fishing pier, a touchdown stage and a seaside.

The place the lake was remains to be there, there’s merely no extra water than earlier than. Why do you ask? Nicely, this storm I used to be speaking about was one of many greatest I’ve ever seen. They known as it a 100-year flood. A lot water got here from the sky and stuffed the west fork of the Kickapoo and all the things rushed. The water degree rose so quick and furiously that it broke via the dam. Vernon County as soon as had 22 flood dams…properly fewer now, in fact, because the floods. Water can achieve this a lot destruction when it will get into it. And today was no exception. Since that fateful day the dam burst, a complete new world has been found in Jersey Valley.

An enormous rocky cliff was uncovered on the dam break and whenever you see it it is like you might have a glimpse of the within of the earth… Now to be a geologist, bedrock is made up of sedimentary rocks from the Cambrian to Ordovician, largely clear quartz sandstone, limestone, shales and dolomites. Softer Cambrian sandstones underlie the valleys, whereas harder Ordovician rocks assist the highlands. Unimaginable huh? I let you know, all the things is hidden however it’s as much as you to seek out it.