Quote:
Originally Posted by Merrymeeting
This is one of the stranger years I've seen for ice formation in the region.
Like the spot on Winni that people have discussed, there is a section of Merrymeeting Lake that has refused to freeze this year. It's still open today.
The strange thing is that this is in an area that usually freezes solid, no known currents, and it's one of the deepest areas of the lake (100+ feet).
Perhaps that is the answer? Is the area on Winni that is still open a deep area?
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Freshwater reaches its maximum density @ 39°F. For it to freeze its surface water must cool to 39F at which time it becomes denser then the underlying water and sink beneath them. This process will continue until the water at all depths is uniform at 39°F. Then the surface water can continue cooling down to 32°F and begin freezing.
So yes depth of water does play a factor in the top layer to freeze.