Official 2010 Ice-Out Thread
 

This is the Official 2010 Ice-Out thread. It is hard to believe that were are watching the ice melt so soon. We should be still snowmobiling!

Put your comments, observations, warnings, experiences, PhotoPost images, etc here for all to follow our annual quest to go boating again on Winnipesaukee and the other lakes in the region. The Ice-Out Page is up on Snake Eyes at www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm where you will find views of all the Lake Winnipesaukee webcams, courtesy of their owners. Other lakes can be viewed on the Lake Cams Page at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm.

Happy Boating!
IG

The bad links on this note have been fixed.

Bring it. I'm ready for some kayaking.

Ice-Out Time
 

Maybe it's just my computer, but the links to your ice-out page aren't working. I assume Snake Eyes is down due to power failure?

I cannot wait to see what is going on in DRH's neck of the woods!

Thanks IG. I look forward to your Ice-Out page every year.

Try This
 

RG, there appear to be typos in both links. This one works: http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm And yes, power is out on Rattlesnake. According to DBA, it could be out for a number of days until NH Elec. Coop can free up a crew to go out to the island with Airboat Guy and repair the damage. I'll be posting my daily ice-out photos very soon!

Yay!
 

I am SOOOOOOO ready for spring! :D:D:D

Ready for Spring
 

DRH can't wait for your pics. They are my Ice Out yardstick. After the last few summers, I have some serious boating to do!

Say It Ain't So...
 

It's way too early for ice out. Us snowmobile rs would like to wring out a few more rides around here!
This winter started off in good shape with the snow and lots of hard work from the Clubs to get the trails ready. Then the cold got the Lake to kick, and we were styl'in.
The winter of 2009-2010 was well on it's way to help put the pain of the economy behind us.
The ice boater's had their best year since years, a new organised tradition of Ice Hockey got under way in Meredith, the Ice Airport was in very good hands with Paul & Crew.
The Alton Bay International Winter Fest got a HUGE BOOST, when the "Forum Flyer" was taken out of mothballs, only to go forward and win the bed race in that event!

Now, I can find my way around the dance floor. I would invite any of you to check me out.

When the Lake kicked, I started my snow dance, only to find that being in Texas, at the time, I forgot all about my being a transplant. I was wanting any of my effort at the time to be forwarded to my beloved Lakes Region.

Well, as it has turned out, and ask Janet if you don't believe me, we have been snowed in here in Texas ever since!
And by the way, after many phone calls to the Al Gore Camp, I have yet to recieve a return call back!! :laugh: I think that he is trying to reinvent himself. ;)... ... ... "Noth'in New, or Fancy

The good news is that I have signed up with Google Maps, not too sure that that will work for this or next season, but let it be known that I am pull'in for Y'ALL!!
________________________

Ice out???
 

I can't believe ice-out is starting already up there. It's colder here in SC than in the Lakes Region neck of the woods. I'm anxious to get back to Sleepers, tho. That is certainly where this heart of mine is.... See all of you soon.

trfour
 

So you're the one who did this to Texas?! Time to stop dancing!

Ellacoya, Friday, Feb. 26.
 

Lots of water:

Hi Janet...
 

Yup!... I guess I'm busted...
My sister and brother in law have lived here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for close to forty years and said that they have never seen a winter like this one while here in Texas. :rolleye1:

Doña is looking out for you're best interests however, as she hid my dancing shoes and replaced them with those spiked ice clip ons, so that kind'a put a hitch in my get'along out there on the dance floor. :(

Now, all this being said I would like to see lots more snowfall ( UP NORTH IN NH GOOGLE ), so as the sled dog races can happen as scheduled in March, and maybe resurrect some snowmobiling for the rest of us. :liplick:

You have to understand, Once a snowmobiler, Always a snowmobiler! :emb:

After all, Spring and summer get here soon enough, and we are seeing the deer on the move here in the back yard.

iceberg
 

a sure sign of things to come, there is a stray iceberg floating at the weirs cam:coolsm:

Ice-out
 

I can't wait to starting boating this summer. I'll be living up there starting May. Ice-out next month.......

I am hoping this month

These work !!!!
 

Not sure where you are looking but the Snake Eyes Lake Cams pages work, with a couple of seasonal exceptions.. refreshing the page helps if they all do not appear at once.

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

... and the power is back on Rattlesnake and Snake Eyes is back!!!!

Thanks to NHEC and Russell and his airboat for getting the power guys ouht there!!!!

IG

Ice out Page
 

I haven't been able to view the ice out page all day.

Even the links above don't work

ice out Page
 

Oops, Blackcat works!

Ice out page
 

Most of the images appear to be current on the lakecams page, but some of the links do not work. If you go to the iceout page at www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm the images are much larger and you don't need to open the images to see the conditions. I do need to update some of the links.

The lakecams page has other lakes, the iceout page is only Winnipesaukee. I will try to get to it this weekend.

Do refresh your screen often! I find some of the cams do not refresh as quickly as others.
IG

I also noticed the other day that hovering over some of the images shows one link address, whereas the link below the picture is to a different hyperlink.

This might explain why some don't work sometimes

Can't View Rattlesnakecam.com
 

Can anyone explain why I can no longer view the Rattlesnakecam.com pages? Everything was fine until last week sometime. I have a Mac which has never had a problem before. I can view the sight on PC's running explorer. I'm stumped and am missing the melting ice on the Iceout page.

Thanks.:confused:

Hi Chaos...
 

My hope is that you are keeping you're Mac updated and didn't catch any of these critters; http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4...g=content;col1

Now, just take two aspirin and get on back to us Y'hear!


Terry
_____________________

Mac Attack?
 

Trfour,
I keep it updated, but I will check tonight to make sure. I have no other issues.

Thanks and y'all stay warm down south.

Mike

There is still 14" in alton bay in front of my house..... bob house is still out and still riding the sleds.... I give it two to three weeks before its out...

So how is Lily Pond looking
 

One indicator of of when Winni goes Ice-Out is Lilly Pond. Once it goes the main lake follows in about 2 weeks. Any reports on Lilly Pond

upcoming rain and warm temps
 

Anyone have any thoughts on how and if the upcoming showers and warm temps (50's) will affect ice out? The lake temp has been at 38 degrees for 5 days or so. It didn't hit 38 til the 1st week in April last year.

Anyone else thinking record early ice out?

I certainly am! What normally slows ice-out is the freezing temps at night. Any gains during the day are lost again at night. But if you look at the extended forecast, most nights for many days will stay above freezing.

If we get a very windy day...

The lake hit 39 degrees today and we still have ice. Boating season has to be right around the corner. I'm actually thinking about putting the kids 14' aluminum boat in the water this weekend just so I can say I went out on the water. :):cool::D

I saw in the citizen today that Dave Emerson says Ice Out is another month away in spite of the high temps. I don't see how this would be since the water temp is higher than this time last year.

This morning we saw three ice fishermen on the ice off Ellacoya. They had to have stepped across some open water to get out there. Maybe they have been eating the fish. We did see a crazy mink hopping along the ice but we did not see the hatter out there.

Walking on water? Maybe they were fishing for men? :D

The View from here right now
 

The rain is channeling along the surface, and with this wind is eating away even though temps are cooler. Check it out. Sorry about the quality.

Most of Moultonboro bay is open water with whitecaps today. There is an ice patch, about 200 yards thick, blocking the exit from the bay to the north (around Elkins point) and then open again till about Ambrose Cove (formerly Aries Marina). All it will take for full ice-out here is a few days of winds from the north.

He would certainly be one of the best ones to make a prediction. But forgive me if I'm skeptical. In the last 24 hours, many areas are showing signs of weakening/opening up, including on the smaller lakes. Open areas showing on Winnisquam, Ossipee, Merrymeeting, and Wentworth that were not there 24 hours ago.

When you factor in the forecast for the next 10 days, I find it hard to believe it will last more than 2 weeks at the most.

I for one agree,looking at all the open water this morning and the upcoming forecast I see it not taking anywhere near a month. But since I'll be in southern CA. for a month starting tomorrow I guess now for me it won't matter but still can't wait.

Going, goimg, gone
 

Our house is near the entrance to Buzzel Cove. The Bay in front of us froze over on December 19th. Yesterday (3/13) the ice was half gone. Today, it's amazingly ALL gone!

Rapid start to melting
 

I'm over by Suissevale in Moultonboro and the melting is much further along than average. There is 60+ feet of open water along the shore. Mid March normally is still fairly safe to be out on the ice, wet/slushy but doable. Not this year. Can't even get on the ice unless you want to paddle first. There were a couple bob houses left on Meredith Bay and one fell through the ice this week. We didn't have a very cold winter so the ice isn't particularly thick to begin with. Further the next 10 days are going to be above freezing except for one or two nights. Up to near 60 a couple days. Now we could get a bitter cold snap after that and it would slow things up but I still see an early ice out (Average time is around April 20th?) I would guess around April 10th unless it continues to be abnormally warm.

Ice is moving
 

look at the Bear Cam its start to eat away at the dock

Has anyone seen first hand what the rain is doing to the ice conditions???????

It had to do something, as Massebesic lake in Manchester was still completely ice covered on Friday and this morning when I drove by it was wide open water!!

With the temperatures expected to hit well into the 60's by Saturday I can't imagine ice out is more than two weeks away at best...

Dan

The most notable change over the past few days seems to have been on Lake Wentworth. Three days ago it was still completely ice-covered, with no open water showing on the cam at all. Now it is almost completely open, with the ice barely showing!

FWIW, the small lake near my workplace here in central MA should be out within a few days. It's usually 2 weeks ahead of the big lake. But this year, it froze more solid and had more, longer snow cover than the big lake. It's going to be interesting...

North-eastern Winny Iceout
 

From as far as I can see into Moultonborough bay and as far north as I can see (up past Arey's/Ambrose cove), there is no ice. A few strands of slush, less than 10 feet wide, are washing up against the shore, but you could easily drive a kayak through them. There may be more ice from Arey's up to Lee's Mills, so my dock won't go in today - but for the moment, we have ice-out!

WeirsCam Ice
 

Or lack thereof! This is one crazy and hopefully historic year!

more open water
 

starting to see a channel of open water on the North side of Bear Is

BI,starting to see alot of water appearing from ice pulling back. Have to call Sheps and get the boat moved closer to the ramp.

How do I vote for the ice out day and time? I have no idea how this works but would like to try it. Thanks for any help with a link or??? Love the WF!!! We need BUMPER STICKERS!!!!

Lucky1,

Sorry, but the contest deadline is Feb 28th. The contest is run each year and is open for guesses during February.

Good luck next year!

R2B

I think it's going quick. No hint of anything left on Wentworth. Channels opening up in many places, and it's looking very dark this afternoon.

That would be great! I'd love a super-early ice-out! I'm worried about debris this year though, more than ever. I am wondering how many people got caught with Bob-Houses still stuck on the ice. Be careful out there with any early boating!

April 1 here we come
 

Looks like an ice-free lake to fish April 1. Riding was horrid this year so hopefully, fishing will be stupendous.

This morning on my way to work, the ice on this small lake seemed fairy solid (it's about half the size of Mirror Lake), with only the edges showing.
Tonight on the way home, it was almost fully ice-free, with only a few very small "bergs" that appeared to be sinking and breaking up quickly.

Ice thickness
 

I live on the South side of Meredith Bay. I walked onto the ice on Saturday. The ice was still 10 inches thick. If this ice breaks up too fast we're going to have some large chunks doing a lot of damage to docks. Hopefully, the rain ate it up the past few days and made it a lot thinner and lighter.

The high temperature is expected to be in the mid 50's for the next five days. Could this be the beginning of the end of ice for the winter?

I am still pushing for April 5th. Won with that one a few years back for the old Main Street in Alton. My son's birthday so it has to be a winner!

nj2nh

Ice at Harilla's ?
 

If anyone is passing by Moultonboro or Long Island area in the next few days would love a report on the ice (or hopefully open water) from Harilla's !

Inner Green's Basin is almost all open water.

On my commericial flight last week we flew right over Winni. It seemed like there was an area opening up between Rattlesnake and the mouth of Alton Bay. I couldn't get my camera out of my bag fast enought to snap a photo.

Well next year I hope to enter!!

Off of Belknap Point there is a strip of open water (50 to 100' wide) running from Rock Island southeast past the point and then a very narrow strip running NW out toward Welch. The strip follows the path of this winter's ice ridge. I suspect the narrow strip will widen quite a bit this week subject to wind blown movement of the ice.

The ice is looking black, probable stage 4 below.

Following from http://climate.umn.edu/doc/ice_out/i...escription.htm
Quote

Manitou is sitting in the water ready to go...new cushions on the sun deck this year...she looks like a new boat! I was up last week and couldn't believe how little ice was left...even saw some shacks getting ready to fall through. See you all soon!

Moving Sheets of ICE!
 

The Blackcat webcam loop shows large moving sheets of ice that are seperating. :liplick:

With a temp of 59 degrees at 2:00 p.m. and warmer weather forecasted for the rest of the week it certainly won't be to much longer.

Silver Lake in Hollis
 

Silver Lake here in Hollis is completely open. It must have happened either yesterday or today. Maybe JRC knows for sure. Since I've been paying attention, Lake Winnipesaukee is a week behind. Hopefully it will be sooner than a week. It would be great to open up camp while both boys are home for spring break.

How is the Lily Pond looking? Not much longer now!:D

BearCam looks much different than yesterday's picture that Bear Island South's posted. (#43)
The BearCam time stamp seems to be a day off and an hour off.

I have April 15th
 

I figured all the tears from all the wealthy folks here on Winni.com on "Tax Day" would add enough weight to the lake to sink the remaining ice. :rolleye1:

Sooner than you think!
 

In this image from 3/16, the ice is looking mighty thin! All of Moultonboro bay (top right) is clear of ice, and the rest of the lake is quickly following. Stonedam Island is at lower left, Mount Washington is at top center, and the tip of Mark Island can be seen at far right.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...-Pano-1AsW.jpg

Tuesday
 

My new unofficial guess is next Tuesday...

Thanks Bill, for the picture!!

IG

Any word on Lilly pond? Thanks

Looks like i'm getting the boat ready this weekend, for a splash next weekend! Yeah!:)

what a difference a day makes
 

It's interesting to watch the changes in the web cam images over the past several days. The change in the Ossippee Lake image from just this morning to this afternoon is astounding !!!

Lily Pond Today
 

As of 2:30 PM this afternoon, Lily Pond appears to be about 1/3 open water. All the open water doesn't show in the following photo, but you can get an idea of what's happening to the ice there.

http://echoshores.com/ice-out/2010/L...800_031710.jpg

Pickerel Pond is still COMPLETELY ice-over (well, holes at edges where streams run in...). We haven't even had the puddles that the snowmobilers like riding through, making a big splash and hoping they won't sink.

Still a month away to ice-out here....

I live for these photos -- especially when they include Tuftonboro (hint-hint). :D

Crazy but true
 

My pool without exception has "iced out" two weeks before Winni for the past 15 years. Bad news is, it still has a lot of ice, good news is I bet big bucks that it goes ice free this weekend.

Ice conditions in 2008
 

I took this picture three days before ice out in 2008... Compare it with Fly Guy's pic above. He shows more ice, but not much more.

Click on the image for a larger picture.

took a trip to harilla landing today
 

here is harillas

more
 

Here are some pics of the broads taken from Jonathans landing

more
 

The first one is the dog at harillas and the second one is the start of the grave yard heading to cow island

Ice (and runway) now gone from Alton Bay out to the bandstand. Looking very fragile everywhere else.

With temps not going much below 40 at night, and well into the 60's during the day, it won't be long.

Much as I would have liked more snow this year, I'm ready to switch. I just hope we don't have our fun dashed with a cold April! :eek:

Hold your horses
 

Long range forecast (for what its worth), is showing rain on Monday during the day and in the 40's, then snow Monday night in the 20's.

SURE!
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...-Pond_3943.jpg

Not sure where you get your forecast but - yes, rain on Monday but temps in the mid to upper 40's all next week. Of course it doesn't matter since there will be no ice by next Monday anyway.

Anyone have any info or pictures on how much ice is left in 19 Mile Bay?

Thanks in advance.

Docks are IN!
 

A new record for dock-in day. Previous was April 1 - so have beat the record by two weeks. One small ice flow exited a small nearby bay, but by the time it had floated by, it was all but dissolved.

I do not think there is any ice in 19 mile bay. I am not positive but there is no ice in 20 mile bay or anywhere arounf there. It is open to cow island.

Why is there an area of Lilly Pond that was plowed? A bit off thread, but just curious.

I know they race model boats there in the summer. Do they have a model airplane runway to mirror Alton Bay in the winter? ;)

They actually run sleds there, like a 1/4 mile track.

Thanks Dhuberty24
 

Thanks Dhuberty24 for the pictfrom Harilla's - thats a beautiful sight !
Might just change my weekend plans... !

OPen to Cow Island
 

Thanks for the update, Dhuberty24. Looks like we will head out to Cow on Saturday. It will be good to get back on the water.

ice condition update
 

this may be directed for FLL, I believe he lives on Meredith Neck
what does the ice look like from Cattle Landing toward Bear and Mark Islands, is the Jon/Air Boat still in at Cattle, is it chewing up the ice?
Thanks for any info

I see water in Alton Bay. It's out all the way to that pavilion thing in the water. I never know what to call it.

Guess my guess (April 5) is a wee tiny bit off. But I am glad it is!

nj2nh

Bandstand
 

The thing in the water is a bandstand. There are two bandstands at Alton Bay, one on shore and one actually in the bay. It is called the "floating bandstand" to distinguish it from the other. It is not really floating as it is secured to a pile of rocks but it appears to float.

Yes this morning there was open water out to the bandstand.

trfour, are you dancing again?
 

Weather forecast for Dallas/Ft Worth tomorrow is 1-2" of snow. Tomorrow's the first day of Spring, the daffodils are in bloom, tulips have buds and the pear trees have flowers...snow?!

I am in Florida and this past week it was only about 10 degree's warmer than the Lakes Region. Tomorrow it's suppose to be 80 degrees in Florida, but I heard it will be 70 degrees in NH It has been the coldest winter on record here in Florida.

Some of Today's Ice Action
 

There are a couple more views posted in the gallery. With the winds picking up this afternoon and the ice finally softening a bit, we have movement!

The view today from Belknap Point. A good stiff wind would break this up. There is still ice by light 26 in toward Glendale.

Looks like Ice Out at Lily Pond

Meredith bay is really breaking up. We put the kids aluminum boat in today ad notices that the ice is rolling as the wake waves hit the ice. Should be no more than two days before the bay is free and clear. :):D:coolsm::cool:

Pine Island ice out report
 

a beautiful day out on the island. when we got here this morning, the ice was still closer to shore than bouy #4. now it has blown down lake, past 5 Mile...

over and ice-out -PIG

I saw a small power boat tooling around 3 Mile Island today, was that you PIG?

The ice in Meredith Bay is moving quicker than previously thought. The NO WAKE buoys just before Meredith Marina keep disappearing and then within a minute or two are popping back up thru the slushy, broken up ice. Let's hope for light wind all night. :)