Official 2017 Ice-In Thread

[Island Girl]

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This is the Official 2016-2017 Ice-in Thread. Please post your comments about this year's Ice-in here. The air temperatures are falling and a few coves are freezing so it is time for our annual discussion. in 2013 the lake temperature was 28 degrees on this date. The forecast this week is for very cold temperatures.

It is typically 33-35 degrees at the Weirs when the broads skims over. The Lake temp as of this morning, reported by the Winnipesaukee Dataphone is 39 degrees. (12-12-2016)
The Ice-in page is live at www.rattlesnakecam.com/watch.htm. If you have a webcam or know of one, please post the information in this thread and I will add it to the page. If you have a webcam that I have in the defunct section of the ice in page, please post here if it will be coming back at some point.

For those of us who are addicted to watching the lake freeze, enjoy. If you are new to the lake, come back often and watch the progress of Ice-in!

Please visit this thread for the latest news and the Ice-in page for current images of the freezing progress. (Please click on the ads at webcam sites and support the sponsors. This provides revenue to keep the cams alive)

As always Please post your pics of the freezing lake here.

See you on the ice!
IG

[Kings Bluff]

Thank you for the Forum and the Ice-In/out discussions. For those of us who are Summer residents it is a real pleasure to keep track of what is happening on the lake the rest of the year.

Our webcam, Winnipesaukeecam.com will be out of commission until next summer. I need to get a new camera. Any suggestions for a PTZ camera?

[ITD]

Blackey's cove iced up Saturday night, took my circulator about 1/2 hour to break through, so I guessed almost 2 inches of ice Sunday morning. Parts of CH where iced over also on Sunday.

[Mink Islander]

And remember 39 degrees is the magic water temperature - the inflection point where colder water is less dense than the warmer water below it, allowing the surface water to fall to 32 degrees and freeze on top of (slightly) warmer water.

[8gv]

Once ice-in has been officially declared, can we have a thread titled "first truck through the ice".

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Once ice-in has been officially declared, can we have a thread titled "first truck through the ice".

Doubtful. Because, unfortunately, that headline usually happens shortly after the coves/shoreline areas have just frozen over. Doesn't take long

On a more seriouse note, the next few weeks are the dangerous ones. Please remind all you know that while the ice may look solid, give it a few more weeks to lock in.

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by ITD

Blackey's cove iced up Saturday night, took my circulator about 1/2 hour to break through, so I guessed almost 2 inches of ice Sunday morning. Parts of CH where iced over also on Sunday.

FYI ITD. It's Blackey Cove, no possessive s. Many people make this mistake.

[Mink Islander]

View from Mink Island this AM. A little snow... Lake temp now 38 degrees at Lakeport.

[Mink Islander]

Mount Washington dressed in white.

[Merrymeeting]

As expected, wind broke up any ice that was forming. Put the water temp probe in today (it is not in the water all the time since the docks are out). Recorded 37.5 as water temp. This is pretty much at the surface with the water mixing greatly due to winds.

We are close to the point where an extended period of calm will cause a lot of ice to form. But...no extended period of calm in the forecast.

I always tell the kids, assume first week in January for ice-in, plus or minus 2 weeks due to current conditions. We are in the window....

[sum-r breeze]

Lily Pond is completely frozen over. No snowmobile tracks yet as of 12/11 when we were last by there.

Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Lily Pond is completely frozen over. No snowmobile tracks yet as of 12/11 when we were last by there.

Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

My wife went by Lily Pond Yesterday and said there was one snowmobile on the ice all by itself.

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[baastan]

So from what I am reading here from everyone, the lake temp is now where it needs to be, we just need a period of time a day or two with no wind and a good chance it'll "lock in" not be safe per say, but lock in? Also, from what I read, ice can form and build as much as 2 inches every 24 hours under ideal conditions?


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[upthesaukee]

It won't happen to the whole lake overnight.

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[greeleyhill]

Plugged my circulator in yesterday just to be safe. Sound about right? Seems like we are within a week or so of ice forming especially in Paugus Bay where ice forms earlier than other areas of the lake.

[Merrymeeting]

Lots of steam coming off the water this morning. At the rate the heat is leaving the water, the freeze will happen quickly if this wind ever dies down. (the winds last night may have been the worst I can remember. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be outside last night! Now -2 here, without factoring in the wind chill! )

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

Lots of steam coming off the water this morning.

Paugus Bay:

[Mink Islander]

The lake temp is 37 degrees at Lakeport this morning. Minus 5 degree air temp - brrrrr. As soon as things calm down a bit (and assuming no big warming trends, ice formation will happen fairly quickly, particularly in coves, shallower and well protected areas. Still weeks away from safe ice on most parts of the lake.

[upthesaukee]

Sea smoke !

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[Slickcraft]

Glendale docks today; it's almost time to haul these boats!

[welch-time]

Ice forming behind our breakwater on Welch.

[Slickcraft]

Welcome to the forum welch-time

[gokart-mozart]

Lake Wentworth finally froze over last night. It was almost frozen 6 days ago, with a small open area between Heath Shore and Stamp Act Island, but the winds blew open a large area that was still water at sundown last night.

At sunrise, the whole lake was covered with snow.

Obviously, very dangerous now. Be careful out there.

[Hillcountry]

My driveway is solidly, "locked up" this morning...sorry, couldn't help it.
I would imagine many in the Lakes Region are fighting ice this morning...

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by gokart-mozart

Lake Wentworth finally froze over last night. It was almost frozen 6 days ago, with a small open area between Heath Shore and Stamp Act Island, but the winds blew open a large area that was still water at sundown last night.

At sunrise, the whole lake was covered with snow.

Obviously, very dangerous now. Be careful out there.

Merrymeeting did the same. Wide open on Friday, snow covered and iced-in on Saturday.

But, several large, slushy, areas are showing this morning, and they are expanding. The forecast shows high winds this afternoon. If so, I expect much of it will break up and we'll be looking at open water again.

[Mink Islander]

Snowy slush pushed on shore at Mink Island.

[Mink Islander]

Looks like your camp faces Northwest towards the southern tip of Bear. I'm facing North from Mink. We've got the area between Mink, Bear, Jolly and Welch pretty well covered.

[Pine Island Guy]

Pine Island is locked in this morning, looking good for solid ice winter this year, finally!!!

Just be careful out there -PIG

[rsmlp]

Locking up as I write this off Smith point on L.I. FREAKIN cold out there!

[MAXUM]

Looking great! Let's hope this holds through the weekend with warmer temps on the way....

[Barney Bear]

Drove from southern NH to southwest Ohio yesterday. Bitter cold headed to NH to help lock up our beautiful lake. Season's Greetings to all. 🐻

[greeleyhill]

Can anyone see if Paugus is fully frozen? Weirs cam shows that it might be but there is ice on the lens so hard to see the entire bay. Anyone local that can let us know?

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by greeleyhill

Can anyone see if Paugus is fully frozen? Weirs cam shows that it might be but there is ice on the lens so hard to see the entire bay. Anyone local that can let us know?

Here's another view of Paugus Bay from T-Bones/Cactus Jack's:

http://www.nh1.com/pages/t-bones-eatery-weather-cam/

[8gv]

"Yes, that is right, only 7 1/2 inches to hold a car"

To hold any car with me in it, I need the ice to be solid from the surface to the bottom of the lake.

[CrownRay]

"An old fisherman had just settled onto the ice for a day of ice fishing. He bored a nice big hole in the ice, set up his equipment, cracked a beer and sat on his stoop. He then heard a voice from above...THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE! He stopped what he was doing. Looked around but did not see anyone. He continued fishing. Again, he heard that powerful voice...THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE! This time, he stood up. looked up and he bellowed...IS THAT YOU LORD???
The voice replied...NO, THIS IS THE RINK MANAGER!!!

Seriously though...be careful out there..the only SAFE ice is at a rink!

[wadeja]

I am located north of Moultonborough Bay and across from Suissevale on the lake and I just went out and drilled through 7 inches of ice in several locations some 150' from shore so about 20' to 30' deep water. How much do you need to support a snowmobile? It would help with the #15 crossing at Ambrose cove.

[MAXUM]

Technically 7 inches is probably enough, but I wouldn't dare on anything less than a foot personally just because there is variation out there. Do be safe out there!

[NUMechEng]

WadeJa - This is a handy reference that i found years ago regarding ice thickness. Compliments of the Farmers Almanac
http://www.almanac.com/content/ice-t...s-safety-chart

4 Inches will hold a 'group' of people 'in a single file line'
7 1/2 inches will hold a 2 ton car (Like average sized Sedan)
Yes, that is right, only 7 1/2 inches to hold a car

Technically, the 'pounds per square inch' on a snowmobile is less than a person on foot. (Although this assumes you don't get off the machine).
BUT, as Maxum stated, ice thickness can vary quite a bit.
And the ice thicknesses listed are based on 'Black Ice' (good strong ice without too much entrapped air, etc).

My family has owned a camp in Moultonboro bay for over 100 years.
I've spent my whole life on the water there. Both Frozen & Thawed.
I drive out my snowmobiles & also sometimes my car virtually every year (for fishing, etc).
But i don't drive my car out until there is a minimum of 1 foot 'in the middle'. (Deep water between Suissvale and the Neck).
This is because it's safe to assume that there are thinner spots that may be 8 inches.

Long story short, 7 inches can be safe for a snowmobile.
But if you are 'new' to the lake, or to this area of Moultonboro bay, I suggest giving it a bit more time.
If this cold keeps up, the ice (in that area of M-boro bay) should be in great shape by end of Dec.

*Disclaimer - Above is my 'opinion' based on my own 30+ yrs experience.
But I can't be held liable for my opinions on this topic. Good Luck

[20mile]

Originally Posted by NUMechEng

WadeJa - This is a handy reference that i found years ago regarding ice thickness. Compliments of the Farmers Almanac
http://www.almanac.com/content/ice-t...s-safety-chart

4 Inches will hold a 'group' of people 'in a single file line'
7 1/2 inches will hold a 2 ton car (Like average sized Sedan)
Yes, that is right, only 7 1/2 inches to hold a car

Technically, the 'pounds per square inch' on a snowmobile is less than a person on foot. (Although this assumes you don't get off the machine).
BUT, as Maxum stated, ice thickness can vary quite a bit.
And the ice thicknesses listed are based on 'Black Ice' (good strong ice without too much entrapped air, etc).

My family has owned a camp in Moultonboro bay for over 100 years.
I've spent my whole life on the water there. Both Frozen & Thawed.
I drive out my snowmobiles & also sometimes my car virtually every year (for fishing, etc).
But i don't drive my car out until there is a minimum of 1 foot 'in the middle'. (Deep water between Suissvale and the Neck).
This is because it's safe to assume that there are thinner spots that may be 8 inches.

Long story short, 7 inches can be safe for a snowmobile.
But if you are 'new' to the lake, or to this area of Moultonboro bay, I suggest giving it a bit more time.
If this cold keeps up, the ice (in that area of M-boro bay) should be in great shape by end of Dec.

*Disclaimer - Above is my 'opinion' based on my own 30+ yrs experience.
But I can't be held liable for my opinions on this topic. Good Luck

I have been going on the ice for over 40 years. The quality of the ice and how hard it is makes a big difference. Last year we had a hard freeze early. We secured our ice shack down on 3-4" of ice. We also had two ATVs out there with us. By no means should anyone experiment on thin ice. Doing so can put one's life in peril. see attached photos. Photo shows the 2 x 4 under the ice as a tie down for the shack. Yes I know it looks scary.

[baastan]

I am up in Patrician shores (levitt Park) area on the center harbor / meredith line and usually rip across into center harbor, cross 25 and drive behind the irving and then take those access trails to kanasatka sp? Does anyone have any information if that's safe yet? I love riding Red Hill, I told my children to put my ashes up there one day, just not anytime soon..

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by baastan

I am up in Patrician shores (levitt Park) area on the center harbor / meredith line and usually rip across into center harbor, cross 25 and drive behind the irving and then take those access trails to kanasatka sp? Does anyone have any information if that's safe yet? I love riding Red Hill, I told my children to put my ashes up there one day, just not anytime soon..

You may want to check in on the snowmobiling section of the forum. There has been some conversation about two conditions, including riding on the lake. This may help more then the general forum. Also check in on the Moultonborough snowmobile Club website for up to date info on trail conditions. Also trailhub.org.

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[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by 20mile

Last year we had a hard freeze early.

That's funny, I thought last year was the poorest year for ice in a long time!

[Merrymeeting]

On a smaller scale, Merrymeeting is mirroring Winni. The coves, eastern shores, and calm areas have been frozen for a while and are all pretty solid at this point. But the deep areas and middle are still stubbornly staying open, despite the consistently cold temps of the past week.

[DickR]

Originally Posted by rsmlp

Locking up as I write this off Smith point on L.I.

Don't you mean "South Point?" I live on LI, and I have no idea where a "Smith Point" might be. Didn't we have this same discussion here earlier this year? Anyway, Smith Point, wherever that may be, probably was just as cold, but probably didn't have a ski lift up it, as did where I went today, and that was cold, too. This seems to happen a lot to places around here.

[wadeja]

No, I mean Smith Point in Moultonborough. Get out your Bizer chart and follow the lake NW from Moultonborough Bay and right next to the 71 degrees 22 minutes marker you will see Smith Point. There is a Smith Point down in Alton too. Probably a few others on the lake.

[smith point boater]

Smith Point (Marker 48 on the lake) is in West Alton . There is absolutely no solid ice in sight and the water between Rattlesnake and here is wide open and moving at a pretty good clip. Doubtful there will be any solid ice in the next few days

[depasseg]

Originally Posted by wadeja

No, I mean Smith Point in Moultonborough. Get out your Bizer chart and follow the lake NW from Moultonborough Bay and right next to the 71 degrees 22 minutes marker you will see Smith Point. There is a Smith Point down in Alton too. Probably a few others on the lake.

You weren't the Smith Point in question. You are talking about the Smith Point up near Ambrose Cove. The original question was regarding Smith Point vs South Point on Long Island.

[depasseg]

It looks like there is ice from the LI Bridge (Trexler's Lighthouse) all the way out to 5-mile and 6-mile.

You can see the trail a barge made in the ice.

[ishoot308]

From my side of the lake (South), it appears everything from Dollar Island north is locked in. All open water from Dollar to the Southwest shore however. Pic below is taken from my home looking at the South side of Welch... If you look close you can see the ice line just in front of Dollar, that little dot at 9:00 o'clock in the photo below...

Dan

[Slickcraft]

Do you mean the other East AKA West?

[ghfromaltonbay]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Do you mean the other East AKA West?

For a minute I was confused too reading this 300+ miles away. Thought I was looking EAST! Guess that's the case.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Do you mean the other East AKA West?

Oops, actually I meant to say South...edited for correction!

[wadeja]

We have been locked in with ice up here north of Moultonborough Bay for 2 weeks now. I took another walk out toward Gansey Island and drilled through 8 inches of ice. 5 inches of "slush ice" on top and 3 inches of black ice underneath. Kinda surprised to not see people ice fishing out there yet.

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by DickR

Don't you mean "South Point?" I live on LI, and I have no idea where a "Smith Point" might be. Didn't we have this same discussion here earlier this year? Anyway, Smith Point, wherever that may be, probably was just as cold, but probably didn't have a ski lift up it, as did where I went today, and that was cold, too. This seems to happen a lot to places around here.

Damn, I must have a brain freeze (pun intended) on this point. My mistake-again. Our neighbor to our left (closer to the point) has a last name of SMITH but no excuses. I'd like to say I'll never do it again but the older I get...

[RUGMAN]

View from Doe point.https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...1&d=1483882509

[Island Girl]

Skimmed over again

[FLAG!]

Curious if people are snowmobiling or ice fishing outside of Wolfeboro bay. Any word on ice conditions from Wolfeboro to Alton Bay?

[Maria]

Just wondering if Paugus Bay was safe to cross to get to the prison loop for snowmobiling from behind Cactus Jacks????

thanks!

[NYCtoLSP]

It looks like the lake has been locked up since late friday night, early Saturday. It even survived the crazy winds from yesterday which blew all the snow off.
Lockes Hill on left, Welch's Island straight out, Ellacoya to the left (been frozen for at least a week over there).

[SPT13]

Originally Posted by Maria

Just wondering if Paugus Bay was safe to cross to get to the prison loop for snowmobiling from behind Cactus Jacks????

thanks!

I rode it last weekend, saw many others, & plenty of tracks