Left on its own, the snowmelt would have flowed into Lake Coeur d'Alene. For months, or maybe even years, it would have flowed through the massive lake, carrying oxygen for fish, supporting tendrils of aquatic plants and being churned around by a summertime fleet of pleasure boaters. Instead, the water from the St. Joe River was scooped out of the southern end of the lake and unwittingly became part of a ceremony aimed at reminding North Idaho residents of the story behind the water.