Two bodies were discovered floating in Alton Lake on Sunday.  Details are scarce as to what happened but they were floating next to a capsized canoe.  It was a windy weekend with snowflakes falling on Saturday and good sized waves.  The temperature hovered in the 30’s and 40’s and the water temperature has gotten quite cold. Hypothermia can set in quickly in cold wet conditions. Whatever happened it is a tragedy.

Forest Lake couple die in Boundary Waters canoe accident

Two people were found dead Sunday near a capsized canoe in a lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday.

By: News Tribune staff, Duluth News Tribune

Two people were found dead Sunday near a capsized canoe in a lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday.

According to the sheriff’s office, two people canoeing on Alton Lake discovered a capsized canoe and two bodies. Police were alerted at 12:40 p.m. Sunday. Alton Lake is near the Sawbill Lake entrance into the BWCAW.

Members of the county search and rescue team, the U.S. Forest Service and Sawbill Outfitters recovered the bodies of Thomas Pineault, 55, and Cynthia Pineault, 51. Both are from Forest Lake, Minn.

Police said it is likely the bodies had been in the water for 24 hours or more. Officials said winds in the area and a drop in temperature could have played a part. Foul play is not suspected, the sheriff’s office said. Both people were wearing lifejackets.