The Official 2011 Ice-in Thread

[Island Girl]

	This is the Official Ice-in thread. Please post your comments about this year's Ice-in here. The Ice-in page went live last night at www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm. You will be impressed with DRH's stunning daily photos ... the West Alton DigiCam. This photo is in a row of its own under Snake Eyes and the WeirsCam. The lake skimmed over last night. It is typically 33-34 at the Weirs when this happens, however this year the temp is 35 as of 8 am this morning. 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 and support our sponsors. This provides revenue to keep the cams alive) IG

[Pine Island Guy]

there was a solid 1/2 inch of ice between shep brown's and pine island yesterday... i plowed through it with the alumacraft and got to the island... it was a beautiful day out there! it will probably be the last trip by boat till ice out...

happy new year! PIG

[Lucky2Bhere]

Braun Bay is iced over. We'll see how it responds to today's warmth.

[Winnisquamguy]

There is 2 bob houses already out on the back side of Mohawk Island saw them yesterday. I think they are nuts!!

[Lakegeezer]

Over a dozen snowmobiles have passed by on the ice in the last two days. All seem to be staying dry.

[Dhuberty24]

Any body notice if there is any body out by cow island, the tufftonboro side.

[Zee]

There are at least 4 bobhouses out in 19 mile bay. Also two pick-ups about 50 feet out.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Zee

There are at least 4 bobhouses out in 19 mile bay. Also two pick-ups about 50 feet out.

Your kidding about the pickups right...???

[Zee]

I wish I was kidding. Darwinism is alive!

[emailmannh]

New Years Day was perfect. One other jetski, my buddy, and my wife and I owned the lake. Only 3 other boats seen. All out from the Gilford ramp, the only one we found open. Most bays we went to were iced in, so our riding was confined to the Broads and Varney Point areas. See you in March....we hope.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by emailmannh

New Years Day was perfect. One other jetski, my buddy, and my wife and I owned the lake. Only 3 other boats seen. All out from the Gilford ramp, the only one we found open. Most bays we went to were iced in, so our riding was confined to the Broads and Varney Point areas. See you in March....we hope.

Awesome! Congrats on the New Years ride!
I got out last year on my Sea Doo on St Pattys Day, and I thought I was doing well to be out that early in the season

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by emailmannh

New Years Day was perfect. One other jetski, my buddy, and my wife and I owned the lake. Only 3 other boats seen. All out from the Gilford ramp, the only one we found open. Most bays we went to were iced in, so our riding was confined to the Broads and Varney Point areas. See you in March....we hope.

Well you definitely are the official first one out of the year!! That had to be wild and fun!!

Good job!

Dan

[emailmannh]

Chip, we got out on St pats day too in 2010. In Wolfeboro Bay the back bay ramp was open as was the bay around the edges. Earliest ride we'd ever had. Made a January ride 3-4 yhears ago. The only month we have not ridden on Winni is February. A couple years ago the middle of the lake was open in February, just no way to safely get to it over the ice.

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by emailmannh

New Years Day was perfect. One other jetski, my buddy, and my wife and I owned the lake. Only 3 other boats seen. All out from the Gilford ramp, the only one we found open. Most bays we went to were iced in, so our riding was confined to the Broads and Varney Point areas. See you in March....we hope.

Good to see you guys out there again... I wish we were able to go with you.

Now we wait for ice-in, out!!! 15 weeks is my guess.

[JB Long Island]

Calm, cold, quiet night - thoughts ?

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by JB Long Island

Calm, cold, quiet night - thoughts ?

It's gonna take a lot more than one night like this ~ more like 7 or 8. The Broads take a long, long, long time to freeze up.

[Island Girl]

All it takes is one calm very cold night to skim over once the lake is cold enough. Then it has to stay cold with no rain for some period of time. A layer of snow messes things up.

It was skimmed over this morning but gone this afternoon, according to sources on my island. It will do so again tonight if it stays calm.

The problem we have had is warm daytime temps, and some wind. That dissipates a good night work!

I prefer it waits till Sunday to freeze then any snow over the weekend would not insulate the ice and hamper the freezing process.

To be safe to play on is another matter.... that does take time.

When the lake cracks and groans, the ice is growing!!!

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

When the lake cracks and groans, the ice is growing!!!

For those of you who have never heard the ice "talk", it is really quite fascinating. As the ice grows, expands, contracts and cracks, it makes a variety of sounds ranging from a watery "whale talk" noise to loud booms that sound like gunshots. Sometimes on a cold winter night the "whale talk" sounds create a constant background din that goes on for hours. When stress cracks form, they are often loud enough to wake you up from a sound sleep.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by emailmannh

Chip, we got out on St pats day too in 2010. In Wolfeboro Bay the back bay ramp was open as was the bay around the edges. Earliest ride we'd ever had. Made a January ride 3-4 yhears ago. The only month we have not ridden on Winni is February. A couple years ago the middle of the lake was open in February, just no way to safely get to it over the ice.

I have to be honest...I cheated on St Pattys day. I launched in the Merrimack in Bow. The water is relatively warm south of the coal-fired power plant. I could go out every day of the year if I really wanted to (if I had lights). You know what, that would be kind of a fun goal to have some year.

[BoulderBronco]

By the looks of the cameras the lake is just about completly frozen. All the bays including Meredith (I assume because the weirs cam shows good ice) are frozen. I don't see a shot of the broads is it still open out there?
Wait. Nevermind. The top Rattlesnake cam shows open water. Looks like thats the view of the broads looking north west?

[Resident 2B]

The bays are ice covered and the ice is building. The broads are still fairly open for this time of the year.

I saw two eagles "fishing" the Weirs Channel this morning around 11 AM, an adult and a juvenile. This is a sign that the lake is locking up.

What we do not need now is a decent snow. It looks like what is coming the next day or three will be light. That is OK. A heavy snow insulates and retards the ice growth.

R2B

[BoulderBronco]

By the looks of the forcast the broads should be frozen in a few days. Question. What is the definition of "Ice In"? The whole lake locked up for a certain period of time?

[DRH]

Originally Posted by BoulderBronco

Question. What is the definition of "Ice In"? The whole lake locked up for a certain period of time?

Unlike "Ice-Out", which has a formal definition, I'm not aware of any actual definition for "Ice-In". Many of the coves have been iced-in for a week or more, and our area near Minge Cove is now iced-in, yet as of yesterday the Broads was still open water. Anyone have any suggestions for a formal definition of "Ice-In"?

[Pineedles]

Keep it the same as Ice-out but reversed. If the Mount can traverse any portion of its route, even if it would have to be plunked down by BIG helicopters, then it's not Ice-in yet.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Keep it the same as Ice-out but reversed. If the Mount can traverse any portion of its route, even if it would have to be plunked down by BIG helicopters, then it's not Ice-in yet.

Sounds good to me!

[Slickcraft]

Apparently Vonnegut's ghost drifted over the lake last night and sprinkled some "ice-nine" on the surface resulting in the surface snapping solid. This was the view this morning from Belknap Point.

[Smith Point]

DHR, I know that you have a good camera could you take a picture of Smith Point as the bob houses pop up?

[HomeWood]

I coud sit here all day in NC watching people run around on Alton Bay webcam. Somebody turned this morning to face the bay. I see the first bob house. I can't wait to get up there soon!!

The Moultonborough bay webcam shows a bobhouse with people fishing. That's where I'll be, so I am very happy to see that.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Smith Point

DHR, I know that you have a good camera could you take a picture of Smith Point as the bob houses pop up?

Here's a telephoto shot I took of that area a couple days ago, with Smith Point on the left, Sleepers Island on the right and Diamond Island in the background. Is this the area you're interested in? If so I'll take another shot when the bob houses appear.

[RailroadJoe]

Yup, two bob houses in Alton Bay today. Still waiting for Riverrat to put his there. I think he is smart enough to wait until the ice is really safe.

[JB Long Island]

When I left long island today there were 3 shacks in meredith, and guys fishing in CRT harbor and even a few nuts way out off Trexelers, so hopefully the bob house goes out next weekend !

[riverat]

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

Yup, two bob houses in Alton Bay today. Still waiting for Riverrat to put his there. I think he is smart enough to wait until the ice is really safe.

You got that right, I know there is some good ice out where I usually put my "house on the lake" but the boat launch was all open last weekend(thanks to the swim dock bubbler) that there is only 4" of ice from there to 40 feet out. Bad situation, someone will go out a drill a hole and see 10" fifty feet out and think they can drive on with a 4 wheeler and it will only be 4" at the launch.
I figure with these temps, maybe tuesday looks good for the bobhouse.
As always an open invitation is extended to all my forum friends to stop in for some hot chocolate or coffee or tea. And shoot some breeze, thyere's always plenty of that out there.

[RailroadJoe]

Thanks, I may take you up on the hot chocolate, when the weather and ice is better. Long walk for me on ice to your place, but if not too windy I can probably make it.

[riverat]

I am usually within 200 yards from launch towards the bandstand on right.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by riverat

I am usually within 200 yards from launch towards the bandstand on right.

The real question is do you ever catch anything. Geeze I've been out ice fishing a number of times and all I do is get skunked.

[Smith Point]

DHR, thanks for the shot,(your making me smile) are those ice traps off of sleepers? And did I see 4weeler track’s in the foreground?

[Lucy Goose]

First house is out and saw 3 people out there digging holes or whatever it is they do. I personally am petrified of it. Haven't seen any snowmobiles yet though.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Smith Point

DHR, thanks for the shot,(your making me smile) are those ice traps off of sleepers? And did I see 4weeler track’s in the foreground?

Nope ... that's the red/white marker off Sleepers near the Castle, and what looks like ATV or snowmobile tracks are just cracks in the ice. You're not the first one to ask me about the ice cracks!

[Ropetow]

Was that you out there this afternoon, Riverat, with the ice house proudly flying the Stars & Stripes?

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Keep it the same as Ice-out but reversed. If the Mount can traverse any portion of its route, even if it would have to be plunked down by BIG helicopters, then it's not Ice-in yet.

are we calling Ice-in yet? looks solid from all the cam views
thats one big skating rink

[Grant]

Two bob houses visible on the Moultonboro Bay cam.

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Bear Island South

are we calling Ice-in yet? looks solid from all the cam views
thats one big skating rink

There is still open water near the northwest tip of Rattlesnake Island.

IG

[Slickcraft]

Yes there is maybe an acre of open water between Welch and Diamond. Kind of a Patriots logo shape. Maybe an omen?

[Zee]

Yesterday there were 10 bobhouses with 6 trucks midway between Farm Island and Pier 19. I sure hope the are drilling for ice depths.

[riverat]

Originally Posted by Ropetow

Was that you out there this afternoon, Riverat, with the ice house proudly flying the Stars & Stripes?

That was me, the shack is back! going out today and tidying up a bit. Broke my thumb during the unloading but it is worth having my seasonal house on the lake with a fabulous view.

[This'nThat]

Bob houses and sleds are all over Alton Bay, now. Drilling shows ice thickness between 4- 8 inches on 10 Jan. Need a few more inches before trusting a truck on the ice. Except for our Jimmy folks, of course. All they need is insurance and a cell phone to call for help.

[Grant]

Research has revealed that 100% of vehicles that fall through the ice were driven on ice. Therefore, a direct correlation can be drawn between vehicles that are not driven on the ice and those that need not be retrieved by Dive Winnipesaukee.

[Lakesrider]

Wolfeboro bay is skimmed over enough that there are a few Bob houses over near the Brewster Boat House side. I was down there this morning listening to the ice making noise. Sounded like African Drums....

[John A. Birdsall]

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

Wolfeboro bay is skimmed over enough that there are a few Bob houses over near the Brewster Boat House side. I was down there this morning listening to the ice making noise. Sounded like African Drums....

I am sorry to inform you but that was FLL who trying to get his boat out fell in and is trying to get out from under the ice. Ya al have a great day up there and lets not hear of any soaking trucks in ze lake.

[JB Long Island]

Originally Posted by This'nThat

Bob houses and sleds are all over Alton Bay, now. Drilling shows ice thickness between 4- 8 inches on 10 Jan. Need a few more inches before trusting a truck on the ice. Except for our Jimmy folks, of course. All they need is insurance and a cell phone to call for help.

Sounds good ! If anyone happens to be off Harilla's would love to get a report on the ice thickness -hoping its safe for next weekend.

[rander7823]

Originally Posted by Grant

Research has revealed that 100% of vehicles that fall through the ice were driven on ice. Therefore, a direct correlation can be drawn between vehicles that are not driven on the ice and those that need not be retrieved by Dive Winnipesaukee.

Maybe all trucks should have warning labels on the dashboard

Do not drive on lake with less than 10 inches of ice. Water is very cold and could cause death after short exposure.

That may help minimize frivilous law suits

[BoulderBronco]

Originally Posted by rander7823

Maybe all trucks should have warning labels on the dashboard

Do not drive on lake with less than 10 inches of ice. Water is very cold and could cause death after short exposure.

That may help minimize frivilous law suits

10"? No thanks. Minimum 14" for me. Remember it may be 10 where the hole is but 20' over it may only be 8. With 14" it's a pretty safe bet all the ice around you is thick enough for a truck.

[Lakesrider]

I drove around the lake tonight and it looked pretty well frozen up everywhere I could see. But I was driving so I could have missed some still open water. I thought I saw a thin sliver of open by Ames Farm. Not sure. I'd say Ice in.

[Slickcraft]

Still some open water between Welch and Diamond.

[DRH]

Some neighbors were skating on the ice near the shoreline just northwest of Minge Cove yesterday. They estimated the ice thickness at around 5" in that area, but they said it was thinner just inside the mouth of the cove.

[lakefr]

Has anybody been on the ice between Bear and Browns? I'm itching to walk across, but I don't want to make the drive unless it is safe.
Thanks!

[Mink Islander]

Originally Posted by lakefr

Has anybody been on the ice between Bear and Browns? I'm itching to walk across, but I don't want to make the drive unless it is safe.
Thanks!

Thinking about trekking out to Mink on Saturday. Cattle Landing is always the question mark early in the season. So FLL, any sleds running thru there? Cut any holes? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Thinking about trekking out to Mink on Saturday. Cattle Landing is always the question mark early in the season. So FLL, any sleds running thru there? Cut any holes? Inquiring minds want to know!

MI - Let me know if you make it out there, we are itching to get up there too.

[Merrymeeting]

With nothing but white showing on all the active webcams, 15+" of snow on the ground, and temps not expected above freezing for a long time, I think it's time to declare it's in.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

With nothing but white showing on all the active webcams, 15+" of snow on the ground, and temps not expected above freezing for a long time, I think it's time to declare it's in.

Unfortunately, the lake isn't completely frozen over yet. Today we saw a fairly large area of open water from the scenic view on Rt. 11 in Gilford, between Ellacoya State Park and the Belknap Point Motel. It's hard to judge, but I'd estimate it was about 1/2 acre - 1 acre in size. It appeared that there were one or two other areas of open water as we looked across the lake as well. I didn't have my camera to take a photo of this area of open water, but it is clearly visible from the scenic view.

[ArborTech]

Stopped to check out the ice off of Glendale this afternoon. A few sleds had been across the bay. I'll be out to check ice thickness' tommorow and might even do some fishing!

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Thinking about trekking out to Mink on Saturday. Cattle Landing is always the question mark early in the season. So FLL, any sleds running thru there? Cut any holes? Inquiring minds want to know!

Have yet to see any snowmobiles travel through, going past buoy 3

Offshore from Mark Island, there's an area of black all surrounded by the white ice which sure looks like open water as seen from about a half mile away.

Have not drilled any holes so have no idea as to thickness.

[Mink Islander]

I'm going to wait another week -- need to get those home projects out of the way so I'm free for a few weeks after anyway....


I'm sure the sleds will be all over that part of the lake this weekend.

Thanks for the undate Les.

[Merrymeeting]

Which gets us back to why it is so hard to define "ice-in".

I certainly didn't mean to imply that the ice was safe to journey upon, and I hope that no one trys anytime soon.

But if we go by the proposed definition that the Mount couldn't get to any of it's ports without hitting ice...

[ArborTech]

Out in front of Glendale has got about 6-8in the whole way across. Talked to a kid who rode his sled from Ellacoya to Glendale too. He said it was pretty hairy, but he didn't break through the whole way....!

[Pineedles]

If I were the Captain of the Mount, I would say I won't navigate into every port without possible damage to the hull. What say you Winniboater...?

[Mink Islander]

Turns out I was able to cut loose today so here I sit in my camp on Mink Island after a two mile hike from Cattle Landing. Good news is there's a good 6-7 inches of solid ice (maybe a little less thru Cattle Landing itself). I always stay towards the north side thru there. Had to walk over a short stretch of black ice. The cracks give you a good sense how thick it is. Enough fluff on top to need snowshoes. A few sleds around but no tracks around between Bear and Mark/Mink yet. A few wet spots where the weight of the snow pushed the ice down. That's what FLL was seeing. Clear skies with Mt. Washington bright white to the North. Saw a herd of six deer crossing near Bear Is as I got close to camp. Just need to warm up a bit and then go cut some holes!

[Zee]

We just saw a small plane land on 19 mile bay.

[hazelnut]

North of Moultonboro bay is abuzz with activity. Lots of sleds and lots of bobhouses. Stopped by a group near Little Ganzy Island and they had a motorhome on the ice. They said a solid 12 inches plus from Balmoral to Little Ganzy Island.

BE CAREFUL!

[meredith weekender]

Just had a couple of sleds out on the bay and they were going real slow. Maybe they're scared.

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by meredith weekender

Just had a couple of sleds out on the bay and they were going real slow. Maybe they're scared.

Then tell them to punch it!!!

[Slickcraft]

In today's Citizen:

It's ice-in on Lake Winni

By HARRISON HAAS
hhaas@citizen.com
Sunday, January 16, 2011

LACONIA — Ice-in on Lake Winnipesaukee was officially declared on Friday afternoon after an aerial flight caught a glimpse of the ice-enclosed lake.

Cold weather immediately after a Nor'Easter resulted in the annual frozen phenomenon known as ice-in, when the entire lake freezes over for the first time in the winter season.

David Emerson of Emerson Aviation said a flight taking off around 2 p.m. Friday saw the ice-covered lake with no areas of open water in sight.

"It's pretty close for being on time," said Emerson. "Last year it was the third week of January. We're about a week ahead of schedule this year."

Emerson and his family has been declaring both ice-in and ice-out since the mid 1970s. He said about three years ago, more people began showing interest in ice-in rather than just ice-out.

Each winter he flies over Lake Winnipesaukee to see where and when the lake finally freezes over as part of his weekly routine.

"The last part to freeze is usually the Broads," Emerson said. "There is a section in the middle that freezes over last sometime in January."

Just last week there were numerous sections around the lake that had open water, including the Broads, Glendale and a section along Route 11 heading toward Alton.

"We had some cold weather in December which started to freeze things down," said Emerson. "The snowstorms we had could have delayed it a little bit, but it got real cold again right after that."

Reports show there has been only one year in the record books when the lake did not totally freeze over, which was in 2001 because of higher-than-normal temperatures in December.

Emerson said during the 2004-2005 winter, ice-in was declared and it lasted for only about week until the ice began breaking up again. During the 2007-2008 winter season, one section of the lake took until almost the end of February to freeze over. The lake froze for two weeks and opened back up because of high winds blowing across the lake.

"When ice-in is declared, it is just that. We don't know what the thickness is of the lake," said Emerson. "People really need to be careful."

Local public safety departments urge residents each winter that although ice-in has been declared, they need to use common sense and realize the ice in some areas is still very thin. Moving bobhouses onto certain areas of the lake may be premature since the current thickness of the ice in some areas is only a few inches.

According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, people never should assume ice is thick enough to support an individual's weight. For new, clear ice, it should be at least 4 to 6 inches thick to support the average individual and 6 to 8 inches for a small group. Fish and Game suggests having 8 to 10 inches of ice before bringing snowmobiles or ATVs onto ice.

Vehicles of any size should never be driven onto ice, officials say.

In the spring, there is an annual contest to see who can guess when ice-out occurs on Lake Winnipesaukee. Ice-out is officially when the M/S Mount Washington can safely leave port and motor to each of its four ports: Weirs Beach, Alton Bay, Wolfeboro and Meredith.

The earliest recorded Ice-Out was last year on March 24, which broke the previous record of March 28 in 1921. According to records a majority of "ice-outs" are declared in April, however, the latest was on May 12, 1888.

[flyguy]

Shot this Friday PM- same time Dave Emerson declared Ice-In. Enjoy!



http://tinyurl.com/IceIn2011

[ishoot308]

Thanks Flyguy;

Is that open water I see towards the end of the video. Looks like its straight out between Lake Shore Park and Welch Island???

Dan

[meredith weekender]

Now that we have ice in let's get moving towards ice out. Love the lake in the winter, but I want to use the boat.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by riverat

You got that right, I know there is some good ice out where I usually put my "house on the lake" but the boat launch was all open last weekend(thanks to the swim dock bubbler) that there is only 4" of ice from there to 40 feet out. Bad situation, someone will go out a drill a hole and see 10" fifty feet out and think they can drive on with a 4 wheeler and it will only be 4" at the launch.
I figure with these temps, maybe tuesday looks good for the bobhouse.
As always an open invitation is extended to all my forum friends to stop in for some hot chocolate or coffee or tea. And shoot some breeze, thyere's always plenty of that out there.

What a great invite, RR, thank you! I was just thinking about the bobhouses today, and taking my son up in February like I did one year to see the bobhouses. We ventured out on the ice in Meredith (on foot) and found one person kind enough to invite us in so son could see "life on the inside". May I contact you prior to our visit to make arrangements? Thanks again!

[BoulderBronco]

Anyone know what that black dot is far out on the Weirs cam? Thought it was a snowmobile but it's been there for a few days. It's to large to be the black marker and it's to small it seems, to be a bobhouse.

[topwater]

I would say absolutely its a bob house. They come in all sizes from portable to 10ft by 16 ft. I have seen houses that sleep 4, and I have seen 1 person houses.

[riverat]

Originally Posted by Waterbaby

What a great invite, RR, thank you! I was just thinking about the bobhouses today, and taking my son up in February like I did one year to see the bobhouses. We ventured out on the ice in Meredith (on foot) and found one person kind enough to invite us in so son could see "life on the inside". May I contact you prior to our visit to make arrangements? Thanks again!

You sure can Waterbaby, I always have hot cocoa or tea or coffee at the ready for visitors. It is more about the atmosphere for me than the fishing.
Had visitors today and the father was explaining to the little ones about ice fishing and they love it, and I did too.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by riverat

You sure can Waterbaby, I always have hot cocoa or tea or coffee at the ready for visitors. It is more about the atmosphere for me than the fishing.
Had visitors today and the father was explaining to the little ones about ice fishing and they love it, and I did too.

Thank you, I'll be sure to contact you then! Sorry for the delayed response, hadn't been on for a few days.