Ice-in Watch 2007

[Lin]

I'd like to say welcome to canislupusarctos. I've loved following your blogs and photos at silentforest. I'm one that told you much earlier in the year I loved your photos from Mt. Washington, especially the fox photos. Good to see you here and I love looking at the Black cat webphotos. Thanks for your photos.

[MAXUM]

Was out on Lake Wentworth today, ice is between 9-10" thick.

[SteveA]

From yesterdays Citizen....

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...268/-1/CITIZEN

[FLAG!]

Was in Wolfeboro yesterday. South Wolfeboro bay near grant island. Was surprised to find that from monday to Saturay only 4 more inches of ice. Maybe I'm naive. Was told once that with temps like we had last week ice should be thickening at teh rate of 2" each night. Anyway, we had between 6 and 8 inches of ice. Unfortunately the earlier break up of broads ice resulted in a massive pile up of ice chunks at the entrance to South Woleforo Bay making for NASTY travel trying to leave the bay to head for wolfeboro bay or anywhere else. Our group of if ice fishermen will be contained to South Wolfeboro bay next weekend unless we get a good 6 inches of wet snow before then. We did sled throuh the chunk field and the ice appeared very solid on the other side. No reason to beleieve there isn't 6 inches of ice throughout wolfeboro bay, but as always test the ice before going out. Don't take this post as gospel that Wolfeboro Bay is safe to drive sleds on.

[steadyon]

Hi all,
lot's of fishers on Meredith bay today and there is a new fish
that they are all catching, it's called a squat fish!

good news is good ice!

Maxum, do you wish the Wentworth derby?

Steadyon

[HomeWood]

What in the world is a "squat fish"?

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by HomeWood

What in the world is a "squat fish"?

...that they didn't catch squat!!

BT

[RLW]

May I ask. How do you feel now. I'm glad you asked before me.

Originally Posted by HomeWood

What in the world is a "squat fish"?

[riverat]

So, has Ice-In been officially declared yet? All reports I have heard from pilots says lake is locked up.

[upthesaukee]

Here's a picture of the activity on the bay Sunday afternoon. There were some snowmobiles running around, and more bob houses out by Echo Point. Also, heard that there was an airplane landed on the bay on Saturday the 27th. . Hope it also had pontoons.



Oh, and as a point of information for ice fishermen (and ice fisherwomen), you can get Live Bait at Amylynne's in the bay, easy walking distance from the boat launch area in the bay. Bait shop is off the little parking lot next to the store, and if no one is in the bait shop, just go in the store and they will be out to help.

[CanisLupusArctos]

Are there records kept for official ice-in? If yes, how does this year's measure up to the others?

On a road trip to Rochester and back I stopped at Meredith Bay to take some pictures this morning (see below.) In Alton Bay I was surprised to find a couple of cars and trucks out there in the middle.

South of Black Cat there was a little bit of thawing in the usual rift between the shore and Black Cat Shoals, especially late in the afternoon when a lead tried to open up, but sunset put a quick end to that idea. It's now 18 and plummeting after a high of 31. Seen today: Two snowmobiles riding north of Bear Island, then between Three Mile and Pine, and on to Center Harbor at what looked like 90-100 mph. Otherwise no human activity out there.

The Weathercam (www.blackcatnh.com) now has a time-lapse feature that shows approximately 4.5 hours in 3-minute increments. It makes changes in the ice much easier to see. Click on "Previous images" and then find the timelapse link in the upper right.

[Ambrose Angler]

Canislupusarctos...can't thank you enough for the great photos. I may not be traveling the furthest for the Derby but I must be close. I'm hosting a large crowd and if it wasn't for your pictures and the reports on this thread I would be a lot more nervous about planning winter activities given the northeast's warm temps earlier inthe year.

[HomeWood]

Originally Posted by RLW

May I ask. How do you feel now. I'm glad you asked before me.

How embarassing! I get it now, hardy har har

Awesome pictures, you guys and gals have really come through for us who aren't there to enjoy the ice. I'll be up there on saturday though!

[Mink Islander]

Anyone have a report for the south side of Bear Island through Cattle Landing? Wondering if there were fisherman and sleds around there this past weekend.

Thanks!

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

The Weathercam (www.blackcatnh.com) now has a time-lapse feature that shows approximately 4.5 hours in 3-minute increments. It makes changes in the ice much easier to see. Click on "Previous images" and then find the timelapse link in the upper right.

Great feature Wolfman! I checked it out yesterday after we went for a walk around the island and caught ourselves crossing the path of your cam sometime around noon.

[ladybug]

On Saturday a bobhouse was set up in Meredith off of Neal Shore Road. The guys were out there for a good part of the day but I didn't see any fish. I also saw two snowmobiles go zipping by heading to Gilford.
Hopefully the nights will be very cold and the ice will keep getting thicker.
Stay safe all.

[fatlazyless]

...hi Mink Islander....saw two sleds skim around the inside of Horse Island which has water and slush in the short distance between Horse Island and Meredith Neck. Otherwise, about five inches of ice thickness is what I am seeing close to shore. The town bubbler is running strong at the Cattle Landing dock. So far, no bob-houses and no fisherman or anyone except for the two sleds are out on the ice in this area, afaIk.

[FLAG!]

Here's a shot of the ice conditions just south of Wolfeboro Bay. It seems that when those heavy winds broke up the ice a while back, the chunks landed here and froze in place. It's a nasty ride across it. About 150 yards long. Forget towing a sled full of ice fishing gear across this. It completely cuts off South Wolfeboro Bay.


We need some snow to cushion the ride over this field.

[Mink Islander]

Appreciate the update.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Appreciate the update.

I am going to Mark either Thursday or Friday by airboat, I can give you an update or a lift if you need it. Most likely Friday.

[Mink Islander]

Thanks for the offer. Won't be up 'til Saturday, though. I enjoy the hike. I'll definitely be interested in any ice report. Hoping to have at least 7-8" by then.

M.I.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by FLAG!

We need some snow to cushion the ride over this field.

The long term forecast is calling for some snow this Friday!

[Senter Cove Guy]

10 inches of ice as reported by an ice fisherman. It was a beautiful day yesterday. Here's a few pics.

[BoulderBronco]

Is anyone else suprised to see so many cars and trucks out there with only 10" of ice? I never go out with my truck unless I have at least 14-15" and thats the LEAST.

[codeman671]

A TV news van in Milwaukee found out the hard way today of the dangers of thin ice when they fell through, ironically while doing a story on the dangers of snowmobiling on ice...

http://www.wmur.com/video/10869522/index.html

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by BoulderBronco

Is anyone else suprised to see so many cars and trucks out there with only 10" of ice? I never go out with my truck unless I have at least 14-15" and thats the LEAST.

According to this chart 10" of "clear and sound" ice will hold a 7 to 8 ton moving truck: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

[CanisLupusArctos]

In the pale blue moonlight, Lake Winnipesaukee's ice pack is making noises that sound much like the distant but frequent rumbles of an approaching severe thunderstorm in summertime. The sound begins at one end of the pack, over by Moultonborough Neck or Bear Island, then travels up towards Center Harbor over a period of about 5 seconds, and in the opposite direction as well. It reverberates off all the shores and echoes through the air above. It makes me think I'm going to see lightning, but with the air so dry I am getting static zaps of almost cardiac-defibrillation quality.

No visible melting at Black Cat today except as caused by nearby dock circulator, and the wind picked up, which caused the even covering of (insulating) snow to get blown into a patchwork of bare spots and drifts. Now we're down to +6 under clear skies and nearly-calm wind.

Ambrose Angler, I'm glad to know I'm of help to you. Have a safe trip to the derby!

Gatto Nero, I'm glad you made it all the way around the island on the ice! I was still giving it a bit more time- not believing it would be "ready" after just a week. Unbelievable!

I can almost hear Bob Seger singing about it:

It was 18, the winter day was fair
The lake was frozen, solid everywhere
Like a rock...

[Mink Islander]

Looks like a pair of Merganzers paddling around the open water.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

Gatto Nero, I'm glad you made it all the way around the island on the ice! I was still giving it a bit more time- not believing it would be "ready" after just a week. Unbelievable!

Actually, we did have one scare, and it happened to be right in front of you're cam. We ventured over to the shoal to check out the pile up of ice and as we got about 3' from it we heard an enormous crack. I'm guessing we had stepped on a spot that had ridden up the rock, leaving no water underneath as a foundation. Regardless, we all stopped dead in our tracks and retreated back to towards shore in a hurry. Thankfully the rest of the trip was non-eventful.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by webmaster

According to this chart 10" of "clear and sound" ice will hold a 7 to 8 ton moving truck: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

That is a very cool site. Thanks for the information.

[CanisLupusArctos]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

We ventured over to the shoal to check out the pile up of ice and as we got about 3' from it we heard an enormous crack. I'm guessing we had stepped on a spot that had ridden up the rock, leaving no water underneath as a foundation.

You've discovered the odd ways the ice behaves around Black Cat Shoals. I think you were probably fine, since it's been cracking and booming a lot lately during the thickening process. Don't lose that fear you mentioned though. The outermost part is a bedrock ledge that rises gently from the west and touches the surface with the top of a 12-foot underwater cliff facing east. That thing is a trap in all seasons. I've unofficially named it "Mousetrap Ledge." (come over some Saturday afternoon this summer and we'll see boats hit it...)

In winter there is typically a rift in the ice that forms between the ledge and the south tip of the island. It behaves like a geological fault line - creating "mountains" in some seasons, and looking more like the San Andreas in other seasons. Come spring, the rift opens into a lead, then the shoals, and then ice-out is usually within two weeks. In the warm winters we've had lately (example- 2002), the water around Mousetrap never froze, and the remainder of the shoals was only iced-over on the coldest days.

In a normal winter it's just as you say - the ice gets pushed up into hollow mountains with a watery crevasse hidden underneath. Fun fun fun!

When you walked past Black Cat's bridge, how was the ice underneath? I keep forgetting to stop on the bridge and check. If it's frozen its a *very* good sign for the rest of the ice in the area.

[Island Girl]

My good friend (DBA's husband) did something out there today... (he is out on the island with the airboat today... reports some quality ice). I expect he unplugged the power to the webcam system and plugged it back in again.

Check out Snake Eyes which is back in operation!!!!


Yay, Thanks, Father Nuke!!!

IG

[rander7823]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

10 inches of ice as reported by an ice fisherman. It was a beautiful day yesterday. Here's a few pics.

Which kind of ruler did they use. Hopefully not the one they use to measure the fish

[JTA]

It's great to have Snake Eyes back!!

[Island Girl]

I see some people are nuttier than others!!! lol

[CanisLupusArctos]

Last night's low of +2 and today's high of 16 on Black Cat have undoubtedly strengthened the ice further. This afternoon I found Charlie Coffin's amazing bobhouse set up on Center Harbor Bay (for more about Charlie, see http://www.thesilentforest.com/journ...lescoffin.html) so that's another good sign winter is definitely here.

Also seen today on Center Harbor Bay: two iceboats, gradually making their way out towards Two-Mile (see photos).

Still very little human activity to the SE of Black Cat/Three-Mile, and no bobhouses visible between here and Rattlesnake, but the ice has blown mostly clear and more cold weather is coming up. The track of Friday's snowstorm still seems like anyone's guess (see Winni Weather thread) but one thing is for sure: More arctic cold will come down behind that storm for early next week.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

When you walked past Black Cat's bridge, how was the ice underneath? I keep forgetting to stop on the bridge and check. If it's frozen its a *very* good sign for the rest of the ice in the area.

There was only about 3' of open ice under the bridge. I didn't get close enough to the edge to see how thick it was near the water though.

[nj2nh]

Your website rocks! The pictures are simply beautiful. What a great job you have done with it.

Jersey Girl
(who is wishing she were in NH where there is snow unlike NJ)

[snowmobiler]

so if today high =was 16 degrees then how come the water temp page sice the temp went up from 35 degrees to 37?

Also, would most be willing to agree that it will be safe to snowmobile on most parts of the lake this weekend? More snow for tonight and even more for friday in addition to the cold temperatures

[Island Girl]

I think we can declare Ice-in... I am sure there are still many unsafe places on the lake... please use care out there and take all the recommended precautions.

Have fun... and see you out there.

Think snow!!

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

... Check out Snake Eyes which is back in operation!!!!
IG

[JTA]

This has been one of the best threads ever IMHO. Especially the pictures seconded only by the adventures of FLL. I'm down in Connecticut and won't be visiting the Lake this winter due to a mending knee injury (Doc thinks I'll slip and fall on the ice, silly man). It's been great to watch the progress of the ice-in and now the various adventures on the ice. Thanks all!!

[BoulderBronco]

Yes. Definitely a good post. But I am trying to find info on Meredith bay specifically. Most of what I hear is Alton. Anyone know what the ice is like in Meredith bay? Close to the docks and farther out towards the weirs? I bought my flight and am trying to figure out if I will want to drive a truck up there and out on the ice or if I am going via snowmobile. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Pics are always good too.

[donnamatrix]

Hey: I saw two trucks on CH bay around 1pm today... but still none on Meredith Bay.

I have a photo taken on Monday by Lakes Region Aerial (from CH) showing ice everywhere. How do I post it?? I'm fairly computer savvy, but brain dead this afternoon.

[BoulderBronco]

thanks for the update. If you ever hear of more info let us know. To post a picture just hit reply as normal. Then on the reply page, if you scroll down a bit, there is a box that says "manage attachments." Click that box and upload your pics from your computer. Just be sure they are small enough or they will not go through.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

How do I post it?? I'm fairly computer savvy, but brain dead this afternoon.

Donna, I just tried to reply to your email but it was returned as "User Unknown". It looks like BoulderBronco gave you good advice anyway.

There is more on posting and editing pictures in the Support Forum.

[Kona Family]

Fished ESE of Black Cat Saturday and Sunday in between Blueberry Island and Kona, plenty of ice 5-6" average. Solid all the way to Black Cat. No one else out this way, I really didn't want to be the first !!

[Island Girl]

Take a trip to Photopost and see the four aerials of the lake posted by flyguy.... If there was any doubt about the ice cover this removes it. Thanks flyguy!!!!




Blue Bobhouse


Natures Trails



Winter in Center Harbor

Almost time...

[riverat]

Wow great aerials! The "Great Spirit" is definitely smiling.

[Grant]

So, now that the hard stuff is upon us, when does the "Global Warming" edition of the Ice-Out Contest begin???

Bring on the melt!

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Grant

when does the "Global Warming" edition of the Ice-Out Contest begin???

Click here

[CanisLupusArctos]

...and the winter we thought would never come. The lake is making nice deep-sounding booms tonight as temps dip into the single numbers again. Very nice pics, flyguy! To build on what you said, "If there was any doubt..." about the ice cover: There will be even less doubt after next week's arctic blast gets here. Mon-Wed highs around 10, overnights below zero - stay tuned to the weather thread!

Thank you for the compliments, Jersey Girl! Here's a shot from the weathercam on the last morning of January showing "diamond dust" from the very light snowfall we had... and tonight's moonlight on the completely-frozen Lake Winnipesaukee (shot with SLR not webcam).

[JTA]

Island Girl,
Do you know of the web cam at the Wolfeboro Corinthian Yacht Club? It's a live cam. As I was watching the other day, a snowmobile was skimming across the open water back and forth. Very entertaining! Glad it wasn't me.
http://www.wcyc-nh.com/wcyc-nh_008/clubcampage.html

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Chubbs

When I try to access the Wolfeboro yacht club cam, I get a BLANK PICTURE. Does any one have some suggestions for me. Thanks........

Worked fine for my system.

It does require Javascript enabled.

Are you able to view a majority of the various webcams on Snake Eyes?
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm

[BlackCatIslander]

I just tried it and it worked fine. Try it again.

[Island Girl]

We have been out in the broads and towards Wolfeboro.. pretty solid, but boggy going through the ice rifts...

BE CAREFULL and could not get to my house because I went through the ice near the shore... (one leg only... just down several inched... scary!)

IG

[JPC]

Originally Posted by Chubbs

When I try to access the Wolfeboro yacht club cam, I get a BLANK PICTURE. Does any one have some suggestions for me. Thanks........

I get the same blank page as Chubbs. I went to their home page and clicled on the thumbnail webcam picture and again got the same results. ??????

Anyone know what's up with Wolfcam?

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by JPC

I get the same blank page as Chubbs. Anyone know what's up with Wolfcam?

It's better to ask, "What's up with my system?"

Just tried it again. The waterfowl are enjoying the open water.

Do you have the latest update for Java and is Javascript enabled?

Are you using MS Op System?

My system is a few years old, not a huge "gamer"; but it does have a cable connect with the above mentioned items. Sometimes it takes Java a while to load. An "Active X" was not necessary to view the webcam, as some require.

Hope this helps...

[mg2107]

Works for me. Try opera or fire fox.

[jeffk]

The display is done via a Java applet that may not load automatically depending on your security settings. If you mouse over the page a tag opens that says to "click to load and run the control". Its a security feature in Windows to not load code (Java, Activex) unless you specifically allow it to. I had to click on the blank page (this implies you give permission for the code to run) and then wait a bit for the applet to load. Then it came up. Good luck.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

...and the winter we thought would never come. The lake is making nice deep-sounding booms tonight as temps dip into the single numbers again.

It's been so long since I've been up there in the winter I can't remember........ how much longer will it be "Booming"? All winter? Can it be heard during the day?

Thank you!

[ghfromaltonbay]

[QUOTE=JPC]I get the same blank page as Chubbs. I went to their home page and clicled on the thumbnail webcam picture and again got the same results. ??????

When I click on the picture I get a message saying load:Movieapplet not found. All I see is a gray screen. Clicking on it does nothing???

[Grant]

Make sure you have the latest Java version installed. It can also be a firewall issue, it seems, as I cannot get it on this laptop while at work, but the same laptop on the wireless network at home gets it just fine.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

What Grant said.

I can get it in Firefox, Opera, and Explorer but you need Java. Bill gates thinks you don't need Java so if you have Internet Exploder you need to download Java seperatly to work with it.

[CanisLupusArctos]

Originally Posted by Waterbaby

It's been so long since I've been up there in the winter I can't remember........ how much longer will it be "Booming"? All winter? Can it be heard during the day?

Thank you!

As far as I've ever noticed, it's always boomed all winter long but booms the loudest when it's cooling off (really cold nights). The ice expands and contracts depending on temp (see numerous discussions and related science articles posted in the Winni Weather thread - I learned a lot from them) and I never bothered to note when it stops making noises. The first time it booms every season is always attention-grabbing. My guess is that the noises it makes stop having the ability to shake the earth as soon as the ice pack shrinks back a few feet from the shore in springtime. In spring it does a lot more gurgles which are hard to discern from the tail lashing of the Loch Winni Monster. Just kidding about the monster. No I'm not.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

In spring it does a lot more gurgles which are hard to discern from the tail lashing of the Loch Winni Monster. Just kidding about the monster. No I'm not.

Of course you're not! . We know the Monster exists -- look at all of the times the invisible limbs have reared up and swiped sunglasses right off of people's faces while they are boating!

[CanisLupusArctos]

This evening I witnessed the season's first truck on the open lake: An SUV with snowmobile trailer traveling from north of Bear Island to the Moultonborough mainland, and a smaller SUV followed at about 100 feet. Bobhouse communities are beginning to pop up in places that didn't even freeze last winter. I saw no vehicles at all on the open lake last winter.

Yesterday I measured the ice south of Black Cat Island at 9 inches and I assume after another cold night and day, it's thicker now.

Just beware of the lake monster!

[Peechee]

Wow, the thought of a truck rolling on the frozen lake seems incomprehensible to me, but please understand. I've never been up to Lake W. in the winter, even after many years. Why is that? No excuses. But I can imagine....hmmm. Maybe there is a creature in the icy depths...

[Merrymeeting]

Hard to believe we were wondering whether the lake would freeze this year, huh?

[codeman671]

I have to say the whole trucks on ice thing freaks me out. I was out in the airboat last Saturday, just off Samoset and noticed that while going along at 15mph or so the ice was cracking loudly in front of us as we drove, we could see constant cracking happening 20 feet or so in front of us as we traveled. The boat weighs 2000lbs+/- at most, thinking of a truck going in the same area (which one did, it passed me) scares the hell out of me. The ice was plenty thick to carry the load, but still...Who knows when a fault of sorts in the ice could give way and send ya swimmin'...

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I have to say the whole trucks on ice thing freaks me out. I was out in the airboat last Saturday, just off Samoset and noticed that while going along at 15mph or so the ice was cracking loudly in front of us as we drove, we could see constant cracking happening 20 feet or so in front of us as we traveled. The boat weighs 2000lbs+/- at most, thinking of a truck going in the same area (which one did, it passed me) scares the hell out of me. The ice was plenty thick to carry the load, but still...Who knows when a fault of sorts in the ice could give way and send ya swimmin'...

In a word - yup. I tell ya as an entreprenurial type of guy I predict some financial reward for the person who can devise a simple, relatively cheap method of measuring ice thickness ahead of a moving vehicle (be car, snomobile or whatever). Even a walking stick measurer for the person walking about would be good (this I can do). I know radar can do it (been done) but it's not "cheap". I've looked into ultrasonics but that method doesn't seem reliable enough. Yes, build and sell this "better mousetrap" and I forsee a McMansion and fancy boat in your future.