HUDSON, Wis. - The twin towers of ice on the side of the coulee across from Historic Casanova Liquor store are a source of wonder for many passersby.
What made the formations that look like frozen water geysers?
Tyrell Gaffer, owner of the liquor store and The Nova Restaurant & Wine Bar next to it, has the answer.
There are three or four natural springs in the hillside that back when Casanova Beverage Company was operating at the turn of the 20th Century were used for brewing beer.
Gaffer also owns the property across Coulee Road from his businesses. A few years ago, he tapped into one of the springs and built a concrete bunker to capture the water, following Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on the construction.
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In the summer, a hose with a spigot at the end runs from the reservoir to the sidewalk. People hiking up the Coulee Road sidewalk often stop for a drink. Others, including home brewers, fill jugs with the fresh spring water.
“It is good water,” Gaffer said. “The DNR tests it about every six months.”
During the winter the hose freezes. So Gaffer built a spring-fed sprinkling system and put it in some small trees nearby. The water comes out, freezes and forms the icy curiosities that catch the eyes of passing motorists.
“It’s kind of a fun little thing,” Gaffer said.
He said the ice sculptures would be bigger if we were having a colder winter.
“The taller of the two grew in about two days when it was really cold a few weeks back, but the warm weather eats it away pretty quick,” he said.
