North Branch of the Chicago River

The bank of the river where I sample was chewed up by machinery, a major tree that had been gnawed by beaver cut down and other trees wrapped in chicken wire. Beaver evidence still on other trees. River flow pretty fast after the previous night’s rain.

Still fresh beaver activity but no sign that I could find of a lodge or dam.

Though there was a bit of snow, I don't believe there was any treatment of snow on the roadways or the sidewalks near or upriver from the site. Also, a great deal of very recent beaver activity (gnawing of trees) mainly south of the site.

Partly cloudy, light breeze, river still high, no muskrat sightings for the past several visits. Its den looks flooded.

Heavy rain and then snow in the last week. River very high and almost no ice left.

Muskrat still living and swimming around by the bridge.

Took water from the southeast side of the bridge because I was unable to get down to the river and past the ice on the north side of the bridge where I normally take the water from. The edge of the river and much of the river bank were slick and slippery with ice. Had to break through the ice at river's edge to get to the water.
Deep freeze in past week; warming slowly over the past few days. High thin clouds with small patch of clear.

Snowstorm previous night. Major rain a week ago. Light snow after rainstorm but melted before salting of roads, at least in the immediate area. River very high.

2:14 pm; mostly sunny. Saw a muskrat.