Official 2019-2020 Ice In Thread

[Island Girl]

This is the Official 2019-2020 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 to begin our annual discussion. This might be a little early... but I missed last ice out so thought I would get this started.

It is typically 33-35 degrees at the Weirs when the broads skims over. The Lake temperature reported by the Winnipesaukee Dataphone is 40 degrees. (12-12-2018) Two years ago the lake temperature was nearly 46 degrees. The lake level is a bit high at 503.53 this year up from 502.93 in October.

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.

Stay safe!
IG

____

[LIforrelaxin]

I vote we skip ice-in this year and go right for ice-out..... Just sayin.... It would be a nice change of pace.....

[AC2717]

ice out after the fishing derby is a good call!!

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I vote we skip ice-in this year and go right for ice-out..... Just sayin.... It would be a nice change of pace.....

Wouldn't be the first time. There have been years when the lake never completely froze.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by AC2717

ice out after the fishing derby is a good call!!

I agree. Right after the derby and two pond hockey tournaments. Ice out by March 1st


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[MAXUM]

There may be no ice yet but it's freezing out there right now - cold boat ride to Bear this morning.... BRRRR. Won't be long before the ice starts to set.

[WJT2]

What is the condition of Lily Pond?

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by WJT2

What is the condition of Lily Pond?

The condition of Lily pond is...Wet!

[fatlazyless]

On Friday, December 13, 2019, Little Squam Lake in Ashland and Holderness NH, with 408 acres size, measuring 2640' width x 10497' length, at an elevation of 570', was observed to be totally 100% frozen across its' entire water surface.

And on Saturday, December 14, 2019, Little Squam Lake was observed to be approximately 99% all totally, ice free, open water with just a little shoreline ice close to the www.waltersbasin.com/

Therefore: Little Squam Lake ice-in unofficially happened on Dec 13, 2019,

and, Little Squam Lake ice-out unofficially happened on Dec 14, 2019.

So's ……. how's about that! …..

[daveschappell]

Surprised to see a thin layer of ice today, probably because of no wind, snow, and cold conditions. It extends out from our house (on Parker Island Road, on Wolfeboro Neck) about 100 feet toward Parker Island. Then we can see other sections as well. Likely only temporary... but with even colder temps on the way, who knows? #BringOnSpring

[webmaster]

The shoreline on Paugus Bay is also skimmed over today:

[Blue Thunder]

That’s probably just floating snow given the wind direction....

[Sal]

The "fat" part of Moultonborough Bay is mostly iced over , , , thinly but
able to hold snow. Certainly not able to hold a sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer, but
perhaps soon . . . . .

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

That’s probably just floating snow given the wind direction....

I think we've got some real ice on Paugus Bay now:

[chaseisland]

Only floating snow I've ever seen was usually supported by ice.

[Pine Island Guy]

I left Pine Island yesterday because I was sure that we'd have a pretty good skim of ice today with the cold temps, however the wind must have been too much for it to freeze...

Maybe this weekend... or maybe I'll be going back out in the Alumacraft...

Stay safe! -PIG

ps: The Pine Island webcam is back up and operational http://charlesyoung.com/pineislandeast.jpg, thank you Island Girl for including it on your page!

[Merrymeeting]

Supposed to be very calm tonight and tomorrow. Conditions are right for a lot of flash freezing.

[MAXUM]

Lots of new skim ice formed last night looking at various web cams. Be nice if we see consistent temps in the next few weeks.

[Mink Islander]

The area north of Mink Island skimmed over for the first time this season last night.

[Slickcraft]

Lily pond is iced in with a thin coating of snow on much of the ice.

Glendale Bay is open with work boats at the docks. There is broken-up thin ice around the docks.

[Hillcountry]

Warmer week ahead...

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by pondguy

I just went to Walmart and Paugus Bay is iced over. I think I saw FLL in a Santa's hat at Walmart.

Were they giving away Santa hats for free? If not wasn't him.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by pondguy

Maybe he got it from where I got mine next door at the dollar store. Can't go wrong for a buck.

Maybe if it comes with a free cup of coffee and a 20% senior discount.

[Jersey Bob]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Maybe if it comes with a free cup of coffee and a 20% senior discount.

Can you get a 20% discount on a free cup of coffee?

[Barney Bear]

Maybe they pay you for drinking their coffee.

[Mink Islander]

Beautiful evening on the lake.

[fatlazyless]

Meredith Village Savings, out front of that Gilford Lowe's is definitely the place to go for your totally free cup of k-cup hot coffee with flavors like Newman's Own organics or Keurig Double Diamond dark roast or Donut Shop regular in a bank quality cup. They have quite the coffee set-up, off in a corner, and no one says nothing to ya ...... so's a big Merry Christmas to the bank for their excellent coffee!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Beautiful evening on the lake.

I do love that view!

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[ishoot308]

Paugus bay was frozen completely in front of the old Burger King yesterday.

My view of the broads from my home in Gilford showed some skim ice forming in various locations out in the middle.

Water around My docks and breakwater on Welch were frozen also.

Dan

[upthesaukee]

Alton Bay has a skim of ice out to near, or perhaps beyond, Little Mark. I fear the upcoming warming trend may change that.

It still amazes me how such a large body of water, when it reaches a certain temperature, coupled with below freezing temperatures and little to no wind, will almost "flash freeze" in a relatively short period of time. Gotta love nature.

Dave

[joey2665]

Unfortunately the forecast does not looking like ice making weather in the next week with temps in the mid to upper 30s and 45 tomorrow. Ugh.


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[Merrymeeting]

Merrymeeting was wide open on Friday. As soon as the winds died on Saturday, it flash froze and is pretty well locked in now.

[dickiej]

Unless I missed it, I didn't see exactly what constitutes official " ice in"....

[stingray]

Does anyone know of a webcam for Meredith Bay?


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[Descant]

Originally Posted by pondguy

Sorry I strayed......

It doesn't appear the FLL is active today. Nice of you guys to take over the trolling duties while he's resting.
PS: the hats have a disposable paper headband and you turn them in at the end of your shift.

[Mink Islander]

This morning.

[fatlazyless]

Tuesday morning, Dec 24; Bear Cam, Echo Shores-West Alton Cam, and Pine Island Cam all showing big open water indicating the 10-mph winds and 20-mph gusts happening over the overnight time period have changed the water surface from hard ice to liquid water.

The Weirs Cam is showing a view from yesterday which still had ice.

[Kings Bluff]

The north end of Alton Bay has a skim of ice on it. See Winnipesaukeecam.com

[Mink Islander]

Skimmed over lightly overnight. Gonna be like this for another week until we get back to consistently cold temps.

[fatlazyless]

For boating in icy waters that may or may not have iced over in the last 12-24 hours, it seems that 14-16-18' aluminum v-hull boats boats have a keel that works better cutting through the ice than a smooth fiberglass hull.

If Alumacraft wanted to design an ice breaker keel, some type of ice breaker edge, running the boat's length, that could be a good feature for an island utility boat.

Thing is, it is basically impossible to say what is the ice thickness by looking at it, and you just go for it at a slow speed and hope for the best.

..... helloooooo Marine Patrol, I'm over here at so & so on the lake, and I have a wee bit of an ice problem?

[Grady223]

The Club Cam shows ice in Wolfeboro Bay out to Barndoor Island. Checking the other cams I notice many are out of date. I also note that the state water temps are out of service.

[Kings Bluff]

Alton Bay iced-in all the way out to Little Mark. See www.winnipesaukeecam.com

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Grady223

I also note that the state water temps are out of service.

The state water temps from Weirs Beach are working:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/rti_data/WEIN3_TABLE.HTML

[webmaster]

Overnight the ice on Paugus Bay has been covered with snow (from the Anchor Marine CAM):

[Meredith AK]

2 very brave (foolish) souls were ice skating in Center Harbor bay yesterday.
Iced in edge to edge.

[trashman]

Is Meredith bay iced over yet? Getting nervous (as I always do) about it being ready for Pond Hockey weekend at the end of January! And it looks like it'll be 8 days from now till some real cold moves in.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by trashman

Is Meredith bay iced over yet? Getting nervous (as I always do) about it being ready for Pond Hockey weekend at the end of January! And it looks like it'll be 8 days from now till some real cold moves in.

Meredith Bay has a sloppy look'n, gray slushy ice from Lagos out to the beginning of the no wake zone, about a half mile out, and then it's open water all down the bay to the Weirs.

A 12' aluminum row boat with just the two oars could probably slide through this slushy ice?

[Dhuberty24]

Any info on 19 mile bay?

[SAB1]

My son walked out on 19 mile today said it was 5-6 inches

[Mink Islander]

Temps look like they’ll be dropping next week so the areas beyond the bays and coves should start to lock up. This morning, the waters to the north of Mink island has some bits of skim ice, but still mostly open after a breezy day yesterday. Things were pretty much the same this time last year.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Temps look like they’ll be dropping next week so the areas beyond the bays and coves should start to lock up. This morning, the waters to the north of Mink island has some bits of skim ice, but still mostly open after a breezy day yesterday. Things were pretty much the same this time last year.

A nice picture of the ice situation, but a great picture of Mt. Washington, rising like a white diamond above the other mountains.

Thanks for posting.

Dave

[ishoot308]

Here's a 30 second video taken today from the West side of Welch...

https://video.nest.com/clip/f0a61cdb...67e97db46a.mp4

Dan

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Here's a 30 second video taken today from the West side of Welch...

https://video.nest.com/clip/f0a61cdb...67e97db46a.mp4
Dan

Thanks. Is this a fixed view, or can the camera be moved or zoomed remotely?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

Thanks. Is this a fixed view, or can the camera be moved or zoomed remotely?

You cannot move it but you can zoom, the more you zoom the less clear the picture is.

[Wifi-1]

Looks like IG has power back to her cam

[Mink Islander]

North side of Mink Island locked up overnight.

[Barney Bear]

Very nice view. When enlarged, the Adirondack lean-tos at the Outpost, and snow-covered Indian Head Rock are visible at the southern end of Camp Lawrence. 🐻

[Mink Islander]

That’s right. My wife’s family has a place on Bear Island, also with views of Mount Washington and a more distant view of Camp Nokomis!

The area out in front of the Indian Head Rock is a popular ice fishing spot.

A bald eagle was also flying around out in front of Mink today. Last winter several were congregating on the southern tip of Bear. Becoming a common sight, thankfully.

Fingers crossed that after the coming warm up that we’ll get back to sustained cold for ice making!

[dickiej]

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by dickiej

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

I believe it’s a “fly over” by the aviation guy that declares both ice in and out.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by dickiej

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

It is Emerson Aviation that surveys the lake and confirms the Mount Washington cannot safely navigate to any of its ports.


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[webmaster]

Originally Posted by dickiej

When is ice in official? What constitutes ice in?

There hasn't been an official ice-in in past years. Last year Emerson Aviation did declare ice-in but that's the first time I recall them doing that.

Declaring ice-in is kind of tricky. Areas could skim over which would block the Mount but then strong winds could break it up the next day. That happened last week when the area off of Weirs Beach skimmed over, blocking the Mount, then cleared the next day in strong winds. That wouldn't normally happen with ice-out. Once the lake clears enough for the Mount to reach all it's ports it is very unlikely that the lake would freeze over again.

Another thing that makes ice-in different is that for ice-out the Mount must be able to reach ALL its ports. For ice-in only one of its ports would need to be blocked.

If Emerson Aviation does declare ice-in this year it will be posted here:

https://www.facebook.com/Emerson-Avi...31847876851023

[Mink Islander]

North side of Mink held up despite the wind last night, which is good. Need to get past the coming warm snap and hope for more cold weather to get us to safe ice!

[ishoot308]

West side of Welch as of a few minutes ago...

https://video.nest.com/clip/1ae642f6...74474b1eb8.mp4

Looks like the wind took out what little ice had formed. With this weeks temps into the 50's not looking too promising...

Dan

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

West side of Welch as of a few minutes ago...

https://video.nest.com/clip/1ae642f6...74474b1eb8.mp4

Looks like the wind took out what little ice had formed. With this weeks temps into the 50's not looking too promising...

Dan

Dan, in your island experience, how does the condition of the lake right now bode for an eventual freeze-up/ice in? I know coves and bays will catch but will the open areas (as in your cam shot) likely freeze enough to allow safe travel?

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

West side of Welch as of a few minutes ago...

https://video.nest.com/clip/1ae642f6...74474b1eb8.mp4

Looks like the wind took out what little ice had formed. With this weeks temps into the 50's not looking too promising...

Dan

Looking at the forecast that warmup will be a 24-48 hour thing and temps are still going to get below freezing at night (barely) so hopefully that won't do a whole lot to the progress that has been made. We'll see wishful thinking?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Dan, in your island experience, how does the condition of the lake right now bode for an eventual freeze-up/ice in? I know coves and bays will catch but will the open areas (as in your cam shot) likely freeze enough to allow safe travel?

Hi Hill;

I would say 8 out of the last 10 years the area around Welch froze completely over to safely reach my camp. Some years there has been 20+ inches of ice.

The last place to freeze on the entire lake is always the area known as the "alien hot tub". This is a large oblong area in the middle between Welch and Ellacoya State Park. Rumor has it that many years ago an unidentified flying object crashed there causing this delayed freeze effect to this day! I can see this area from my home on the mainland in Gilford so I monitor it well. One year Emerson declared ice in when there was still about 6 football fields of open water there!!

Now to answer your question!...I think the freeze is definitely behind but I do think the lake will freeze over completely this year. The nights have been cold and more cold coming next week. We just need that initial skim of ice to keep the wind from affecting the freeze. Once that happens, ice will form quickly usually at a rate of 1" per day minimum. Calm and cold is the key!

Here's a few clips from years past from the same camera as in my above post and within the same time frame + or - a couple days. This will give you an idea where we are at...

January 11th 2019: https://video.nest.com/clip/e9247dc8...901859eec3.mp4

January 13th 2017: https://video.nest.com/clip/0254f547...2812f4ad36.mp4

January 7th 2016: https://video.nest.com/clip/5ae083a7...4622d47342.mp4

Take care!

Dan

[Blue Thunder]

Progress in the coves and Alton Bay...

[ishoot308]

Top,

Here’s a couple from 2016.... That’s Welch in the lower picture...

Dan

[Descant]

Excerpt:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

The last place to freeze on the entire lake is always the area known as the "alien hot tub". This is a large oblong area in the middle between Welch and Ellacoya State Park. Rumor has it that many years ago an unidentified flying object crashed there causing this delayed freeze effect to this day! I can see this area from my home on the mainland in Gilford so I monitor it well. One year Emerson declared ice in when there was still about 6 football fields of open water there!!...Dan

The US Navy Research station on Diamond Island was supposedly to do research under ice in preparation for the Nautilus' trip under the polar ice-cap, and to study underwater light transmission (Laser?) Apparently, that was just a cover story. In four generations on Welch, I have never seen algae blooms or milfoil in this area.

[Barney Bear]

Just saw two people walking on the ice near what appears to be open water on the Center Harbor web cam. Scary! 🐻

[AC2717]

looks like the ice is making a comeback!!!!

[DickR]

Late this afternoon, the dog and I saw what appear to be two ice shacks out on the ice in the Long Island-Sandy Isl - Cow Isl triangle.

[Andromeda321]

Originally Posted by Descant

Excerpt:

The US Navy Research station on Diamond Island was supposedly to do research under ice in preparation for the Nautilus' trip under the polar ice-cap, and to study underwater light transmission (Laser?) Apparently, that was just a cover story. In four generations on Welch, I have never seen algae blooms or milfoil in this area.

To be fair, if the water is moving in some fashion in that spot to prevent ice from freezing, you wouldn't get much algae or milfoil compared to other areas that freeze over faster where the water is more calm.

[ishoot308]

No progress as of yet with ice in...

https://video.nest.com/clip/1f92878b...c271fa7a4f.mp4

Hopefully with the upcoming cold temps starting Friday night we will some progress!

Dan

[AC2717]

I cannot believe there is no Cam in Meredith, that is crackers

[trashman]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

No progress as of yet with ice in...

https://video.nest.com/clip/1f92878b...c271fa7a4f.mp4

Hopefully with the upcoming cold temps starting Friday night we will some progress!

Dan

Actually, better yet, Wednesday overnight will be below freezing and then some real cold from there. Any chance the Pond Hockey happens in Meredith Bay?? Or at this point are we crossing our fingers for even Waukewan to be able to have it????

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by trashman

Actually, better yet, Wednesday overnight will be below freezing and then some real cold from there. Any chance the Pond Hockey happens in Meredith Bay?? Or at this point are we crossing our fingers for even Waukewan to be able to have it????

My personal opinion is Meredith Bay will be fine for the hockey tournament...

Dan

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

My personal opinion is Meredith Bay will be fine for the hockey tournament...

Dan

I think you're right on Dan...however, at this late date, I don't think the lake will "ice in" this season...not fully, anyway.

[AC2717]

only issue with the ice for meredith bay is they need enough time to set up, flood and smooth, need at least a week. So at some point they will have to make the call

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Andromeda321

To be fair, if the water is moving in some fashion in that spot to prevent ice from freezing, you wouldn't get much algae or milfoil compared to other areas that freeze over faster where the water is more calm.

The reference to algae and milfoil was a total non sequitur.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

I think you're right on Dan...however, at this late date, I don't think the lake will "ice in" this season...not fully, anyway.

There's still time Hill...cold weather starting tomorrow night and continuing on at least for the next 7 days or so according to the weather channel. Unfortunately it looks pretty windy starting tomorrow until next Tuesday which will certainly stop any ice from forming.... If we don't see some serious progress by next weekend January 25th, I would agree with you...

Dan

[PCTim]

Originally Posted by AC2717

I cannot believe there is no Cam in Meredith, that is crackers

There is one at Lago, but the only ones I see using it are WCVB and WMUR

[ishoot308]

These brutal winds with gusts over 30 mph will just not allow the lake to freeze no matter how cold it gets! The wind continues till Tuesday!

https://video.nest.com/clip/323e2f37...3b2c5a0cd2.mp4

Dan

[Blue Thunder]

Today’s MODIS shot. Very few times during the year that it’s this crystal clear...

[ishoot308]

There is some ice forming across the broads this morning! It’s calm right now and the slightest wind will certainly blow it all away bit if it would just ice over fully before the wind starts it would be in good shape!...We shall see!!

Dan

[Mink Islander]

Time will tell.

[Micker]

Meredith bay this morning


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[ishoot308]

I actually saw a small boat (18-20 feet) blasting through the skim ice across the broads today! Based on the tracks left in the ice, the boat seemed to come from Belknap point and went straight across to the south side of Welch and kept going at about 20 mph!

I had 10 very experienced Winni fishermen and guides at my home today for a luncheon and we watched this boat in disbelief...none of us could believe what we were seeing!

I hope this person made it back OK!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

Over at the Belknap Point Motel breakwater dock, there's been tied up, an old, all steel, construction barge tender boat that gets towed along behind a large barge so maybe it was getting out to the job site, somewhere or something. Could have a 150-hp Honda on about a 20' steel v-hull with an all-weather type home-made cabin enclosure.

Winter waterfront construction projects using a barge is like the Winni equivalent to mining for gold under the Barrow Sea, or something ....... no work = no pay. They ain't going fishing.

[stingray]

Thanks for the shots of Meredith.


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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Over at the Belknap Point Motel breakwater dock, there's been tied up, an old, all steel, construction barge tender boat that gets towed along behind a large barge so maybe it was getting out to the job site, somewhere or something. Could have a 150-hp Honda on about a 20' steel v-hull with an all-weather type home-made cabin enclosure.

Winter waterfront construction projects using a barge is like the Winni equivalent to mining for gold under the Barrow Sea, or something ....... no work = no pay. They ain't going fishing.

That’s the boat we saw cutting through the ice yesterday!

[ishoot308]

From my vantage point in Gilford, the entire lake including the broads and the “hot tub” area, are completely locked in with ice! Last nights calm and cold did the trick!

Dan

[joey2665]

Thanks Dan great news for the PHC and Derby


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[Mink Islander]

That the wind won’t bust things up again. Looking good from Mink Island.

[webmaster]

Emerson Aviation has declared Ice-In:

https://www.facebook.com/Emerson-Avi...31847876851023

[thinkxingu]

Wow, that was fast! From open after to ice-in in just a couple days.

Originally Posted by webmaster

Emerson Aviation has declared Ice-In:

https://www.facebook.com/Emerson-Avi...31847876851023

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[phoenix]

In two weeks we will start the ice out contest

[Slickcraft]

No open water was in view from Belknap Point this morning.

I think that the prior days of cold with brisk wind did a good job of drawing heat out of the water. And then a bit of calm and "snap".

[Blue Thunder]

And the view from space today makes confirmation easy...
The Sebago hot tub is obviously still in the “ON” position....