Don Johnson documents Rainy Lake's historic 1950 flood in the following excerpts submitted with clarifications by his son, Byrne Johnson:
4/15/50 THAW. It finally came - and with a bang. This had been the most irritating situation imaginable, waiting for the thaw. With two carpenters on the string and no way of getting materials to them except on a hand sled or toboggan. [Chris and Ole Oien were building a guest cabin at Norway Island.]
4/26/50 Official reports put snow fall at 14 inches.
4/27/50 I have finally decided that the lake can't possibly open by May 15. As John Erickson says, “My goodness, it would have to rain molten lead for three days!” As George Finstad said today, “It sure is peaceful around here!”
4/28/50 Weather the only topic of conversation. “Isn't this terrible? When will the lake open up?” I made a bet with Burt Bruggeman two months ago with May 10 as opening day. I paid him today. When he said I still had a chance, I said, “If we were betting on a football game and my team was 100 points behind with a minute left to play, I would pay off!”
5/9/50 Still raining so Layna and I drove down to take a look at the Littlefork Bridge. Water starting over it, and it won't be long before traffic will be stopped. Flood conditions terrible in Red River valley - especially Winnipeg. Worst in 118 years.
5/12/50 I have been worried about Carl Harrison’s boat [in Dahlberg’s boathouse] because of rising water so Byrne and I walked to Dahlberg's. It was floating with bow on top of ice. We raised it about 3-1/2 feet. So far I haven't mentioned high water in this diary. Radio and newspapers report worst flood in history of this area. Red River has been on rampage for weeks now. Winnipeg worst hit. Littlefork and Loman are cut off at present. Rainy Lake has come up 4 feet - and still rising.
5/15/50 My last trip over the ice, and it went like this. I got off our island near the second cabin - used a plank. Walked to east side of Robert's Island [Atsokan] and Gerald Wagness took me across open water to west side. I stepped out on ice and walked to Fitzgerald's [now Shanno’s]. On the way home at 5 p.m. it had softened up considerably so had to call for Gerald when I got to Fitzgerald's. Channel about half open and he pulled metal boat along rope stretched from island to mainland. I got out on ice and walked home - going around Black Point [Fransons Island]. Couldn't get on shore at home but Byrne came out 50 feet with canoe.
5/16/50 Met Jim DiOnne and Mayor Larson in Ranier post office and they took the attitude that Don Johnson, without the aid of almighty God or the M&O was responsible for the high water! As I have thot for many years, the only one more unreasonable than that type of fellow is one who argues with him!
5/17/50 Weather Bureau says 88” of snow during winter.
5/19/50 Damn near had a fight with Weum when I said I was going to move Talbot [the Mando cruiser]. Rapids at Ranier getting steadily worse, and couldn't afford taking a chance on getting stranded. Lake steadily rising, about 2 inches a day, and feelings are bitter against company. Most people refuse to accept “Act of God” theory.
[5/22/50 Official ice out date.]
6/8/50 On tour of high water high lights with Chuck Raymond. Island View fighting a great battle to save itself. Sand bags holding out water which would have been 12 inches over floor. Oberholtzer tying his houses down with cable. Sam, the Koochiching watchman “watches” as valuable equipment goes under. Ball fields covered with 16” of water. Gilbert Carlson [at Bald Rock] complaining because road closed off. No travel from Ranier. We are one of few places on lake who aren't losing too much by this damned water.
6/16/50 Took them [the Mando directors] to town in Talbot. Went all the way to warehouse because no dock at Fort. Pither’s Point Dock last one on lake to go under. Left Talbot at Falls as I had no wish to run up thru river full of poplar pulp wood. Interesting trip home. Kirk took me to junction of Morrison Road [County Road 94] and #11. Woman came along in row boat in ditch. I borrowed same and rowed to Lawrence Olson's where I caught ride with Vayne Lord.
6/28/50 East wind raised complete hell on Rainy Lake. Island View flooded, cottages along shore tipped over, Point Park pavilion had a boom log driven right thru it, rip rap and cement sidewalk at Point Park wrecked. One boat sunk at Point dock. Our little boat house finally had Insulite washed off and all 3 cords of wood that was in it lost. Our septic tank washed into lake. A mighty small loss compared to others.
7/6/50 Rainy Lake hit peak elevation of 1112.98.
7/29/50 To town and picked up Robyn Campbell and party. Last trip thru Ranier rapids, I hope, because Point Dock is out of water. A tense moment every time I went thru there in past - a helluva mess if I hit a pulpwood stick at wrong time.
