r/BWCA • u/Plane_Swim1806 • 2d ago
Algae?
How's the algae? Had to rins out our gravity feed last year and wondering if I should bring a second filter.
Last year was basswood.
This year number lakes
2
u/spaghettilogic38 2d ago
Low water levels and hot weather hasn't made for a good combination this year. I sometimes prefilter by running my water through coffee filters or a bandanna. This at least keeps the larger solids from plugging the filter and reduces the need to backflush. I have a big dromedary bag I use for dirty water.
I think a lot of it depends on where you are getting water from, though. If you gather from the deeper parts of the lake or one of the campsites with more of a drop off it tends to be better. There is some real variation depending on the part of the numbered lakes you'll be on.
1
u/missMcgillacudy 2d ago
I buy a pair of nylon pantyhose and cut a square out of it. It can be stretched and used to pre filter the water before it gets to the filter.
Back when I used a paper gravity filter I’d still have to replace my filter fairly often, but the nylon made it last the whole trip without slowing down too much.
Now I use a ceramic in line gravity filter. It can be back washed with clean water and it’s basically new again. It just didn’t come with the dirty water bag or lines. I used the ones from my old paper filter set up, which means now I just have to screw the cap on the bottom of the bag with the nylon and it’s a built in pre filter.
1
u/Wooden_Gift3489 2d ago
It's tanin not algae that clogs the filters. You will have the same issue on the numbered lakes. Back flushable filters are key. I like Sawyer best..
1
u/Plane_Swim1806 2d ago
It's not tannin. Went many times. Zero issues. Last year you could see the algae. The tannin doesn't bother me. The algae doesn't either except when we have to clean the filters. The last filter had 4 trips. Zero issues on 3 of them. Last year's was rough. Green algae on the cabin filter.
The tannin goes through and the water stays brown. Or gray. Or green. Or whatever color the lake is.
I just asked because of the hot summer. Was just curious if I could use someone else's experience.
And yes I have a flushable filter. It's just not ideal to do in the back country
2
u/Wooden_Gift3489 1d ago
Why is it not ideal to do in the backcountry? You keep a small syringe to back flush and it takes like 30 seconds to do (at least on Sawyer filters). It's way better than dealing with a slow draining gravity filter. I backflush mine every other day and it keeps things running smooth.
1
u/Sorry_Slip_5017 1d ago
IMO, better to bring the syringe than carry a second filter. I was on Basswood 8/16-8/22, I had to backflush about every 12L w my Sawyer
5
u/StandardRaspberry509 2d ago
Can’t help with algae conditions especially when I have no idea where you will end up. Normally I’ve never had issues on the numbered lakes. On that note:
Get a Sawyer filter, it can be back flushed. I’ve had mine for years and years and it’s still going strong! Just make sure it never freezes! Freezing will destroy it.