As you slip on dead mayflies over the next few days, try to remember that it’s indicative of a river’s health.
The annual massive mayfly hatch on the Mississippi is finally underway, a little later than usual.
GIF: La Crosse, WI radar is actually picking up a mayfly hatch right now (10:40 PM CDT) in Mississippi River valley. http://t.co/qrWEOUmn8r
— Alex Lamers (@AlexJLamers) July 21, 2014
Alex Lamers, a National Weather Service meteorologist in the south, posted this radar loop, which picked up the hatch last night in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
There are millions of mayflies on buildings and roadways now, National Weather Service La Crosse meteorologist Tim Halbach tweeted.
Mayfly chasing. Just west of the Cass St bridge in La Crosse. pic.twitter.com/uW9quXTJeg
— Tim Halbach (@TimHalbach) July 21, 2014
It’s not the most fun time for filling up the gas tank:
Mayfly hatch in Trempealeau from Saturday night. Thanks to Kelly for the picture! pic.twitter.com/e9wxuOlXLY
— Michelle Poedel (@news8michelle) July 21, 2014
Mayfly hatch as seen from Trempealeau on Saturday night from Joshua Hanson. pic.twitter.com/19gN2Ldx37
— Michelle Poedel (@news8michelle) July 21, 2014
Or grabbing some cash:
What if you really needed cash, but were also really afraid of #mayflies? La Crescent, MN last night. Pic from Ryan. pic.twitter.com/tWGsOAhjX2
— Bill Graul (@news8bill) July 21, 2014
Update 3:29 pm: Or quenching a thirst:
@MyLittleBloggie From a friend in LaCrosse #Mayflies pic.twitter.com/SzJvmdH2ZC
— Josh Ruhnke (@ruhnke) July 21, 2014
Or doing just about anything else:
Absolutely disgusting #mayflies pic.twitter.com/MPCaKi6MHJ
— Danielle (@daniellehartung) July 21, 2014
Last year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation had to call out snowplows to remove the dead mayflies from the highways.
From the archive: