The island gives people headaches because of frequent movement

America A 16-hectare floating island on Lake Chippewa moves on its own, blocking the way for ships.

In the middle of Chippewa Lake or Chippewa Flowage, Wisconsin, there are about 200 small floating islands and a large island called Forty Acre Bog that is decades old. The island does not move continuously. But each time it moves, it causes headaches for the people because it blocks the traffic of ships when the island "parks" right in front of the only bridge connecting the two shores.

Every time like that, the boat owners on the lake often have to pull the island to another location, clearing the way. The condition for this to be done is the wind. In 2022, 25 boats were mobilized to push the island of more than 16 hectares away from the bridge.

The island gives people headaches because of frequent travel — People use boats to push the floating island. Video : *YouTube/AirFox Photography*

"Almost every year, we have to do this, using boats to push the floating island to another place so it doesn't block the road," said a local resident. Denny Reyes said the first thing locals usually do when they arrive at the lake in the morning is to find out where the island is.

"We pulled it out and maybe a few days later, the island was back in its original position (blocking the way under the bridge)," said Greg Kopke, another resident.

Forty Acre Bog Island is a protected wildlife habitat by the state, so no one is allowed to destroy or tear it apart, even though it is a nuisance.

Chippewa, Wisconsin's third largest lake, is a man-made lake that was created from a large swamp in 1923. The mud flats and dead moss (peat moss) rise to the surface, forming large patches that provide a perfect place for seeds carried by the wind and wild birds to grow.

Lake Chippewa. Photo: Only In Your State — Lake Chippewa. Photo: *Only In Your State*

Over the years, these floating grasses have grown into islands on the lake, some as large as a parking lot or tens of thousands of square meters. The largest island, Forty Acre Bog, is located on the west side and is covered with mature trees. The trees act as sails when the wind blows, helping the island move around the lake.

According to the Wisconsin State Website, the islands and land around the lake are owned by the state (more than 50%), Native tribes (30%), and private individuals (8%). The lakeshore is more than 220 miles long, heavily wooded, and sparsely populated. Therefore, the lake is an ideal destination for nature lovers to explore , camp on the lake and on the islands, boat on the lake, fish, and hike. The hiking trails are considered safe because motor vehicles are not allowed.

The lake is accessible from a public boat dock. The lake is home to a variety of fish, including bass, sturgeon, and catfish, as well as native birds and animals. The lake is also a great place to see birds and wildlife.