Ice-in Watch 2006

[DRH]

We saw a large coyote out on the new ice this afternoon. We first spotted it walking around between Treasure Island and Ship Island, then it wandered over between Ship and Moose Islands. We watched it for quite a while with a spotting scope. It didn't appear to be on any particular quest or heading in any particular direction, and occasionally it would just sit on the ice and look around. We lost track of it over near Moose Island. With the ice so new (and thin) we were hoping the coyote wouldn't break through, but the ice was strong enough to support its weight.

[Pepper]

Oh what a beautiful thing to witness! I'm envious!

We have a small pack of coyote in our neighborhood somewhere, as we can hear them communicating with one another on a nightly basis. Usually around 1:00AM while I take the dog on his last walk of the night I can hear them howling back and forth to one another in the neighboring woods. Years ago it would make my hair - and the dog's fur - stand on end every time. Now it's become a welcome and pleasant sound that I look forward to.

I must admit, though, that I'm glad I can only hear them, and not see them!

[FLAG!]

My question is, how much snow is on the ice. If the lakes region got 5 to 6 inches of snow, is it going to present an insuation problem now? ^ inches of snow on 1 inch of ice is not generally a good recipe for strong ice. Some of the cams look as though the ice was watery enough to suck up a lot of that snow. Is that the case or am I looking at 5 inches of snow on the ice????

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by DRH

We got about 6" in West Alton.

We had a like amount here right above Sandy point Keywadin park area. Glad it was over 4 inches...the plow guy only cometh with 4 inches or more, and this stuff was heavy!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

My question is, how much snow is on the ice

Don't know the answer (since I'm to chicken to go out ), but when I drove to Alton this morning all the ice I saw was covered. Temps were above freezing most of the day (6pm 30).

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by DRH

Hmmm, what are you are seeing, gtxrider? Here's the photo I posted this morning on the West Alton Digi Cam page:



Are you sure you've cleared your browser's cache? You may be seeing yesterday's picture if you didn't.

It sure looked like the picture from 1/22. I may have looked before you up loaded the new one. Anyway it looks like there is ICE and SNOW on the lake.

Dance girls, dance......

[edog]

I wouldn't go out on that.Lot of people would though.

[Mink Islander]

I'm guessing we're still at least a week away from seeing a lot of activity on the lake given the still relatively mild temps, but am wondering whether anyone's tested the ice in Meredith Bay yet.

[FLAG!]

I'm counting on you lucky people who are up there this weekend to poke holes in the big lake and let us know... The suspense is killing me...
We'll be fishing the wolfeboro area on the 4th & 5th, but my buddies keep moaning about the ice not being safe.... I keep assuring them that the cold nights are doing what we need them to do...

Fingers are crossed!!!

[pparisi133]

Wow, it looks like the lake is setting up.....looking forward to reports from the "field" as to how actual conditions are up there. A group of us Flatlanders will be going to Rattlesnake for our annual trip on derby weekend...hopefully all will be well by then.

[Island Girl]

Check out the Ice-In page for a nice aerial shot of part of the lake. This picture generously lent to us to view by Bill Himmel at LakesRegionAerials.com. It shows a very unique ice formation... Don't go out there yet or you will be in for a surprise.

Look here http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

[DRH]

Very interesting photo!

[Pepper]

Holy Cannoli!

That's interesting "formation" alright!

Note to GravyBoat: Do NOT go out on a snowmobile and head left! Yikes!

[pparisi133]

WOW....what a great shot of Rattlesnake and Treasure.....hope it locks in this week

[Senter Cove Guy]

The enlarging of all the lake webcam pictures for the Ice-In watch is your latest stroke of genius. Well done.

[Island Girl]

Bill Himmel sent another of his greats shots for our enjoyment... this is just off Broadview condos in Gilford.

Enjoy!

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

[Pepper]

Sometimes you see something on a webcam that just "strikes" you. That happened to me this evening. While viewing the Ice-In watch page, I discovered that the "FrontLawn Cam" broadcasts it's image even after dark. Having viewed this same page earlier this morning, I was delighted to see something that is invisible in the bright light of day but quite visible after dark. I wonder if the cam managed to capture an image of the critter who "signed his X"?

[mcdude]

The Union Leader's take on things....

http://www.theunionleader.com/articl...8-a4de32084b90

[Mink Islander]

Just wondering whether there's any activity out on the ice in this area or over towards Mark Island from the Cattle Landing. Curious what the ice thickness is like over there. Guessing it's still pretty questionable through there and the marginally cool nights and spring-like days aren't helping much.

[FLAG!]

Hey all, I had about 20 minutes to stop in at Wolfeboro and chip a hole in the ice on my way through town. South Wolfeboro Bay. It was sketchy getting on to the ice but Once out about 30 feet I had 4 inches of black ice with about two inches of crusty, crumbly grey stuff on top. We're going to hit the ice with a large group of fishermen next weekend, but if we don't have a solid 6 inches, I think we might opt for a nearby small pond instead. Anyone know how the ice fishing is in Rust pond?

[Mink Islander]

Interesting. I too look to have at least 6" and preferably 8" of black ice under me before I go marching across the lake to my place. May be a stretch to see that by the weekend.

[Misty Blue]

Hi Folks!

'Just back from a little ICW time in Boca Raton. They can have it!

There is nothing better than a X-country ski on the Lake! We just did a little jog up Red Hill....Awsome!

As they say... It's the snow that brings 'Em here but it's the slush that Keeps 'em here!

Misty Blue.

[djhornet]

I now live year round in Key Colony Beach and I have to agree with you. We have kept my childhood home on Pleasant st. in Meredith Bay and I would be heart broken to see the Derby delayed let alone cancelled. I have been checking in on the weather forecast and it looks very promising so I am ecstatic about that. The Wahoo fishing is hot, but I am in dire need of some clean cold air from the Lakes Region, chatting with the many people who visit us, and a dozen or more flags. Winnipesaukee is my therapy and without question I would take that ski around the lake over the offshore trolling 99 times out of 10o; if only my business would allow me more time!

[Island Girl]

Does someone have an ice bubbler out in the broads off the Broadview condos... I have been watching that hole of open water get larger everyday... now it is very apparent.

We could use another aerial shot, Bill!

Island Girl

[Pepper]

IG it's getting worse in other spots, too! The Weirs Cam is showing two large areas of open water which I did not notice previously! I'm beginning to lose faith that we will see a true ice-in.

[jaybat]

Hello IG and others. First, I'd like to thank all the folks who have sent up the web cams and posted the messages about the ice conditions. For the past few weeks I've been reviewing the Ice-in Watch page to see how the ice on Winni is setting up. Looks as if mother nature isen't beeing nice to us out doors folks. Anyway, this is my firs message and I like to know if any folks out there know what the ice conditions are over on Wentworth. I'm planning to come up and fish on the 11th & 12th of February. I know it the BIG DERBY on Winnie but, we've already planned the weekend for Wentworth. Maybe next year we'll enter the Winnie derby. If any one out there has info on Wentworth please post a message. Thanks for the assistance and feed back from Jaybat in Central Mass.

[Merrymeeting]

Jaybat,

Everything you want to know can probably be found here...

http://www.lwa.org/

including a webcam....

[secondcurve]

Pepper:

Please don't post sad smiley faces about the lack of an "ice in". Think positively, it will be an early spring! If we were going through a difficult winter, there would be all sorts of chatter about wanting spring to arrive, etc. Pray from warm weather and lots of rain. We will be on the lake in our boats in mid April this year!

PS: I saved $500.00 bucks by not insuring the sleds this year. No snow, why insure them!

[Pepper]

SecondCurve, I am sad because my snowshoes sit idle in the mudroom, I've yet to be able to have my very-first-ever snowmobile ride, and although this winter is unusually mild, we've been virtually unable to go outside and play. Besides that, I'm getting ready to take a much-anticipated cruise to the Caribbean, and what fun will it be to escape a "non-winter"? Thus far our only "winter joy" we can look forward to is the Alton Bay Winterfest, as we're participating in the bed race that day. My first winter with free-time, and I'm not having any fun yet! So, you can see why I post sad faces.

There is a silver lining to the dark cloud, however. If the weather stays mild, when we reopen in March we might actually be busy, because everyone will be opening up their cottages, starting construction projects, and generally just glad to be entering a season with some hope of fun!

[Mr. V]

Hi Pepper

Say, if you want the best of both worlds, head out to Portland, Oregon.

You want snow?

Mt. Hood is 60 miles away, and it has fourteen feet and counting, with great ski areas, both downhill and cross country, and mucho snow mobile trails.

Best of all, once you leave the mountains and return to the valley, there's no snow or ice.

Lots of rain though.

[pparisi133]

I have to agree with Pepper....this is NH....there's supposed to be cold, snow, and ice! As much as I like camping, fishing, and going to the beach, I equally enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing! I think the four seasons are what makes New Hampshire the best place to live....a 6 month spring just doesn't do it for me

But, what can we do? "Let us accept the things we cannot change", right? Who knows....we could set a record in March for the most snow in a 30 day period! LOL.

Keep smiling, everybody!!

PS - anyone hear how the Derby meeting went today??

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by pparisi133

...PS - anyone hear how the Derby meeting went today??

WMUR just reported that the Derby has been postponed one week.

[Weirs guy]

Its my first winter living on the lake, and all I can do is watch the ice come, then go, then come. So much for taking my kids ice fishing and slidding down Tower Hill, but at least the heating bills are managable.

[jaybat]

Thanks Merrymeeting for the link to Wentworths Lake Asscociation web site. Any news on next weekends Winnie Derby? Our Rod & Gun Club located in Upton, MA has postponed its Trout Derby scheduled for this weekend. Hope is not next weeked as a few of us are planning to head North up to NH to ice fish on Wentworth or somewhere. Just getting away for a few day up to NH is always a blast. I'd probably spend more time in the summer up in the Lakes Region but you can't catch Stripped Bass in the regoin that I'm awear. Thanks again for the link, it's appreaciated.

[FLAG!]

Actually, I have unconfirmed reports that Winnipeasukee has a small elusive striped bass population....

That wasn't bottom you had when you lost your line trolling for salmon last spring...

[nightrider]

derby postponed one week

[gravy boat]

I see what you mean -- looks a bit damp off of Dinsmoor Point in on of those photos, doesn't it? ;-) I appreciate the heads up!

BTW -- we miss stopping by with the girls to visit. They keep asking when we can stop by for lunch again. Hopefully it's soon!

Gravy

[nhlakelover]

I know we're all hoping and waiting for cold and ice. I'm coming up next weekend for the Derby (that I see has been postponed). However, I want you all to know that I have a student in PA. using this website as the basis for his science project. He's been using the daily photo from Alton, saving the aerial photos, using the lake temp chart and daily weather temps along with a few other links from here to keep a journal and predict when the lake will freeze. He has predicted Feb 10th and I hope he is right!! Anyway, I want to thank all of you for your comments and enthusiasm because he has only seen the lake through my pictures and he has more of a feeling of the importance of the lake freezing through all of you! Thanks... and by the way, it's 58 degrees and raining here, haven't seen snow or ice since December!

[Weirs guy]

Well, between todays weather and the dock bubblers running 24/7 here, there may not be any ice left at the Weirs come this weekend. I went down to the lake last night and the open water by the peir and docks is getting bigger and bigger.

And Pepper, let me 2nd you opening up again soon, Gilford House is getting old....

[Pepper]

GravyBoat and WeirsGuy -just a short while now! Should be somewhere in the last two weeks of March, unless Mother Nature decides to send us a few late winter blizzards and nor'easters. That would push it back a week or two.

Thanks for asking - it's nice to know we've been missed.

[jaybat]

Hi Folks, Hope the weather in the lakes region is better than it's down here. Sitting in my office down here in Attleboro MA looking out the window and it's pouring and the temp is 55 degrees. I'm thinking about going home and uncovering the bass boat and heading down to Cape Cod to do some pond fishing. No ice at all down there. Only problem is cleaning the boat after traveling down the highway. Lets all pray mother nauture sends us a nice long cold spell to freeze up the lakes up in your region. I'm truly looking forward to spending a few weekend up there doing some fishing. Enjoy the up comming weekend and the Big Game.

[FLAG!]

18 of us were on Winnipesaukee this Firday, Saturday and Sunday ice fishing in the wolfeboro area. We have a little "mini-derby" of our own. We fished in the rain on friday, Saturday was very nice but warm, and yesterday it rained until about 10:00 then it cleared up for the last 2 hours of fishing. I have to be honest, if we had planned to fish today we would have had a big challenge getting on to the ice. As it was we had to assemble a makeshift "bridge" consisting of planks, boards & plywood just to get on to the ice. However once on the ice there was a solid 6 inches of black ice. Then we headed out to set up a tent over about 22 feet of water and we had 8 inches of black ice. The ice around the shore was poor. All of the incoming run off has been melting ice and preventing it from freezing up at night. Unfortunately I think all of that run off may be adversely effecting the fishing. We only managed two lakers, one perch, two rainbows and I think three salmon (which of course were all very nice fish because we can't keep them). The two rainbows were very nice also. The first was 1.9 pounds and the second was 2.2 pounds. Full of smelt. The lakers were both over 2 pounds. I will post some pictures from the weekend in the next day or so.

[Grant]

Looks like this week will help the ice a bit, and the long-range forecast for the next week (leading up to the re-scheduled Derby) will be quite frigid. I'm heading up for the 10-11-12 weekend, but won't do much fishing...

[jaybat]

Hi Flag, You must really enjoy ice fishing to go through all the work getting on the ice and then dealing with the rain. I'm sure the tent helped. Did you folks have much wind yesterday?

[FLAG!]

other than a gust or two the wind was a non-issue. The challenge was staying dry. With up to 4 inches of slush & water on top of the ice at times the waterproof-ness of your boots was a big factor.

[Weirs guy]

Looks like we made some progress last night!

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

Looks like we made some progress last night!

Yes, it's 7 degs here in West Alton this morning.

[Merrymeeting]

With temps the way they have been for the past few days/nights, why does it seem that the open water on the Broadview camera is getting bigger?

[Island Girl]

I suspect it is the wind.. we need some calm.

[Alsobig]

Remember "The Year with out Santa Claus..." Well this is "The Year With Out ICE!"

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

With temps the way they have been for the past few days/nights, why does it seem that the open water on the Broadview camera is getting bigger?

Yeah, that hole is disheartening. It keeps freezing over at night only to open back up durring the day. All the bubblers along the shore aren't helping either, the ice out there seems to move around a lot.

[Rick]

Wind certainly is a big factor. Many wonder why ice doesn't form right away when it hits 0 degrees (C). It is all chemistry and thermal energy. Once the water reaches 0 degrees (C) it takes a very large loss of energy in order for the molecules of water to change to a solid. This is known as Heat of Fusion. For example it takes the loss of 1 calorie to drop the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree (C). This is true until water reaches 0 degrees(C). Water must now change from a liquid to solid and this takes an additional loss of nearly 80 calories per gram of water. If you placed a thermometer in the water and watched as it cooled you would see a steady decline in temperature until it reached 0 degrees (C) then the temperature would remain at 0 degrees until all of the liquid had changed to a solid (ice).
If you have trouble understanding this don't worry my chemistry students had trouble also!

[Quilt Lady]

Originally Posted by Rick

If you have trouble understanding this don't worry my chemistry students had trouble also!

Very well stated and understandable. It's a much better answer than . . . "it gets very cold and then a miracle happens"!

[FLAG!]

so here's how we prepared ourselves for fishing last weekend when the ice was questionable...

Rope, life jackets, and UV protection sunglasses...

[pparisi133]

Does anyone know how Minge Cove looks as far as snowmoblile access from the marina off 11D out to Rattlesnake Island? We were going to come up today and take a look but mother nature changed our plans. I'm worried we're not going to get a good picture of what's going on now that there going to be 6"+ of snow on the lake.....Thanks!

[DRH]

Originally Posted by pparisi133

Does anyone know how Minge Cove looks as far as snowmoblile access from the marina off 11D out to Rattlesnake Island? We were going to come up today and take a look but mother nature changed our plans. I'm worried we're not going to get a good picture of what's going on now that there going to be 6"+ of snow on the lake.....Thanks!

When you refer to the "marina off 11D", are you referring to the Minge Cove Marina? That's actually off Minge Cove Rd., not 11D.

We saw several snowmobiles going between Minge Cove and Treasure Island yesterday. The ice thickness in that area is reportedly about 6" on average, but the thickness varies widely.

HOWEVER, there are still some large areas of open water along the Gilford shoreline between Ellacoya State Park and the Belknap Point Motel. As of yesterday, the largest area of open water stretched from the shoreline near the Belknap Point Motel more than 3/4 of the way out to Welch Island. That large area of open water is visible in the following photo, taken yesterday from Lincoln Park:




Further up the lake, yesterday there was a large area of open water between Meredith Bay and Governor's Island, and extending over toward The Weirs, which is visible in the following shot:



Moral of the story ... while certain sections of the lake may be safe for snowmobiling, many areas are not safe at this point. If you decide to venture out, make absolutely sure the ice you will be travelling over is safe. Today's snowfall will make that determination more difficult, so be VERY careful out there.

[ghfromaltonbay]

The Babes on Sleds and the rest of us snowdancers finally got the right steps. We have over a foot of snow here in northern NJ, heading toward the 18" mark. Hope this much makes it all the way to the lake. Looks like it is supposed to stop here in the late afternoon, although the snowfall has tapered off a bit. We even had thunder + lightning overnight. According to the newscast the storm is following Rte. 95 up the coast toward New England. Can't wait to get to Alton Bay next Saturday and see the Babes on Sleds in action!

[upthesaukee]

Forecast for the lakes region is approx 3-6 inches. Long range has temps on Wed Thurs Fri in the 40's with rain on Friday .

DRH, here's a similar pic taken from just west of the Condo's.


DRH, we must have travelled the same road at different times

[ghfromaltonbay]

I feel your pain, UTS. The temps are supposed to hit the 50's here by Thursday. I'm hoping that the long range forecast is wrong -- a lot can happen between now and Friday.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

DRH, here's a similar pic taken from just west of the Condo's. ... we must have travelled the same road at different times

Excellent shot, upthesaukee. It really shows how large that area of open water is.

[Skip]

DRH,

What's the weather over your way today? Not seeing much talk of the storm here, wondering how or if it is building up on the ice at all?

Skip

[upthesaukee]

I just went up to McGraths and there is about 2.5 inches on the ground in my yard (just above Keywadin park & Sandy Point area), and the end of the bay has some snow on it, but it is mainly just blowing around. Big fear I have is that it will cover the really thin areas, such as the "current area" of the river that was open to beyond the Pavillion just a few days ago. Ditto with thin areas in and around bubblers.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Skip

DRH, What's the weather over your way today? Not seeing much talk of the storm here, wondering how or if it is building up on the ice at all?
Skip

We have not gotten much snow so far in today's storm. It's hard to give an accurate accumulation figure due to the blowing, but at this time I would estimate we have about 2" - 3" on the ground. Judging by the weather radar updates, the snow will probably taper off in the next couple hours. It's snowing heavily right now, so if the storm lingers we may get a few more inches. Most of us were hoping for a lot more snow! There really hasn't been any snowmobiling season here yet this winter.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by DRH

...We have not gotten much snow so far ... There really hasn't been any snowmobiling season here yet this winter...

Ditto here, only put 75 miles on the new sled....I even splurged this season for a pair of Collett Communicators for me & the boss, they work great from the living room to garage!

My fear with this light covering is the eager beavers getting back out there and going through the ice again, like the scenario we had several weeks ago. Its been real bad up Pittsburg way, with a number of sleds into the water, especially around areas like upthesaukee just mentioned!

Supposed to warm up mid week but long range is for more very cold weather and possible stormy pattern commencing around the arrival of next weekend.

Still hoping to get enough snow/freeze to sled over the mountain and down to your bay to say hello to you & the missus, Mee-n-mac also owes me a tall tale & ale or two also....but we're quickly running out of winter here!

Stay warm,

Skip

[jrc]

You guys are going to have to come south. We've got at least 15" in Hollis and the cornfields are already buzzing with snow machines.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by jrc

You guys are going to have to come south. We've got at least 15" in Hollis and the cornfields are already buzzing with snow machines.

That's what I've been seeing all day on the telly!

Maybe I'll have to bring the new sled to work tomorrow, work's just down the road from one of the Rockingham Junction trails....if the diehards haven't already blown the snow off the old rail beds already!

[gtxrider]

[QUOTE=DRH]We have not gotten much snow so far in today's storm. It's hard to give an accurate accumulation figure due to the blowing, but at this time I would estimate we have about 2" - 3" on the ground. Judging by the weather radar updates, the snow will probably taper off in the next couple hours. It's snowing heavily right now, so if the storm lingers we may get a few more inches. Most of us were hoping for a lot more snow! There really hasn't been any snowmobiling season here yet this winter.[/QUOTE

I think the babes have the steps down but their aim is off. Pull the snow north where it is supposed to be. Some areas around here got close to 2 feet of the white stuff. Record snow in New York City. Gee, perhaps they let snow mobiles in Central Park?

And of all days my snow blower gave me trouble. I'm up to my @#& in snow.

[upthesaukee]

Our yard is a little bit sheltered from the wind, and there was right at 3 inches in several locations in the yard at 7PM when I went out and shovelled. Of course, our plow guy doesn't plow until we get 4 inches, and of course he came by at 8!!!!! I knew I shudda waited!

[fatlazyless]

Here in Waterville Valley, where snow is spelled $now, all we got was about one inch or less. Just enough to cover the grass and leaves but not enough to reopen all the cross country ski trail's that have been closed for two weeks.

Yesterday, there were about five suv's and trucks about a half a mile out in Center Harbor Bay, out on the ice. Yesterday the ice was all solid, looking from South Bear Island to Governor's Island to Timber Island but no one was out on the ice.

Maybe Wal-Mart will volunteer to truck snow from Central Park, Manhattan to Waterville Valley just like they helped out the Katrina victims with medical supplies..........now that makes sense!

[pparisi133]

Thanks, DRH and Upthesaukee.....I was hoping for more promising news, but it is what it is. Yeah, it's probably Minge Cove Road. I'm not that familiar, but I know we park on a dead end and go onto the lake through a marina which I believe to be in Minge Cove. Then we shoot out between Sleepers and ?? to get to Rattlesnake. We've never had a problem before, but I sure don't want there to be a first time.

Thanks again.

[Island Girl]

We received a lovely snow cover of 15" in Clinton, MA yesterday.... and my sled is in NH.. who knew?

Be careful in Minge Cove... a dock bubbler at the end of the cove as you go into the channel is making the ice thin... additionally the inlet that runs into the side of Minge Cove is still pouring water in... making for moving water and thin ice on the side of the channel..

Basically the ice can be thin on both the left and right sides coming out of Minge Cove.

The Babes will try to redirect the dancing to ice making and very cold weather. The coming forecast is not promising so we are turning the music up louder and dancing faster!

IG and the Babes on Sleds

[Weirs guy]

Thanks DRH and UPTHESAUKEE for the pics of the open water, sure doesn't look that big from my place.

We got 1" of snow at the Weirs, maybe some of you guys from down south can bring up some this weekend, after Fridays forcasted rain that is.

[DRH]

We just finished clearing our driveway and stairs, and it appears we got about 2" on average here. Strange, as it snowed all day, but that's all it amounted to. Very light and fluffy.

[tricia1218]

Here in Northern MA, the same thing, the news reports 17 inches in my town, there is no way there is 17 inches of snow out there. All this talk about a blizzard, it looked more like light snow to me.

Maybe the coast caught the brunt of the storm, at most we had heavy snow for 30 minutes in the afternoon. I would guess less than 12 inches. Where are they measuring snow fall from, resenlty plowed banks?

[Island Girl]

With the forecast for this week, higher sun in the sky and large areas of open water I fear we will not have ice-in this year... then again... we could have an early ice-out... Brrrrr... cold nights at the camp in late March, chilly boat rides, burgers on the grill, Hot chocolate, Hot mint tea, Slingbox with Tivo, Hmmm .... this is beginning to sound good... Maybe the babes should be doing the ice out dance.

God Bless airboats!

[Island Girl]

I have not posted my weekend pictures of the lake conditions yet on Photopost, but some of them are here: http://islandgirl.smugmug.com/gallery/1197471

I hope to get to them this week but cannot promise anything. I will upload the rest to this site as all it is is a drag and drop. I do not see any reason for those holes to close this year... One can always hope.

IG

[pparisi133]

Thanks for the heads up, Island Girl. We decided we're going to recon it this afternoon. A couple of guys are going to go in from Minge Cove and go across to Rattlesnake on foot, provided they can get that far.
Before we bring the crew up, we figured we'd scout it out.

Thanks to everyone for the info....I'll post our results later this afternoon!!

[Island Girl]

Out between Cub and Sleepers and Rattlesnake was a circle of ice over ice sheets with open water in between... The ice out there is very variable and any snow cover from yesterday would mask that... I would not be going out there myself... The ice is not safe. This report was from an airboat.... I REPEAT... IT MAY NOT BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!

[Grant]

Yes, there are a number of strange open spots remaining, although the deep cold over the past week or so has made a difference. I did some poking around this weekend, and here are some photos:

Trucks and bob houses on 19 Mile Bay - Friday afternoon:





Bubblers doing their duty at 19 Mile Bay docks:



Ice ridge (and some open water from bubbler) forming from Wawbeek shore to Black Island (Camp Winaukee):



Gunstock, bob house, thin ice:



Gunstock viewed from Abenaki Tower:



Melvin Bay toward Moultonboro Bay from Abenaki Tower:



Previously viewed ice ridge grows after a night of cold:



Ice boats and open water on Wolfeboro Bay:



Yours truly on Chocorua Lake:



The always majestic Mt. Washington:



And the ice ridge continues to grow -- Saturday evening:

[flyguy]

I did an "Ice Flight" on Jan 27, and another today, with Dave Emerson of Emerson Aviation. I'm sorry to report that there appears the be LESS ice today than there was three weeks ago! Dave's impression was that much of the ice is 2-3" thick (he should know).

Take a look at these two images, taken three weeks apart near Rattlesnake:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...1&d=1139867676
Jan 27th

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...1&d=1139867689
Feb 13th

There's also a much larger hole at the east end of Meredith bay, north of the Weirs:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...1&d=1139867705

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...1&d=1139867720

And some especially daring ice fisherman in Sanders Bay:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...1&d=1139867735

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Bill

[Island Girl]

Thanks for the pictures... the ice report for the airboat people on Friday was mostly 6 inches from Minge Cove to the NW end of Rattlesnake with a lot of rifts and some water within the rifts.

Your pictures reveal how scary it is out there.

[Rose]

Originally Posted by tricia1218

Here in Northern MA, the same thing, the news reports 17 inches in my town, there is no way there is 17 inches of snow out there. All this talk about a blizzard, it looked more like light snow to me.

Maybe the coast caught the brunt of the storm, at most we had heavy snow for 30 minutes in the afternoon.

Not sure where you are, but we measured 17.7 inches over the duration of the storm here in Townsend, MA. Between 7:35 and 8:30 in the morning, we got 3.5" of snow. The next hour, the snow rate was 2.5". Since it was very light, fluffy snow, it quickly compacts to nothing in a day.

[gtxrider]

Maybe I can load some of this in my truck and bring it to the lake this Saturday! So we can get a snowmobile ride!

[spotsink]

Thanks to all who have posted information on ice conditions, especially the photos from 19 mile bay.

Has anyone been out past Chase Point and over toward Cow and Little Bear? If so, what are things like out that way? We want to get out to check on out place but with ice conditions so variable were hoping for more information before planning a trip.

[Island Girl]

It is great that these pictures of lake conditions are all in one place. If you are posting pictures here and want them to also appear on the Ice-In page as well ( so everyone possible to know how dangerous it is out there, please send permission or pictures to rattlesnakecam@comcast.net. If the picture is in photopost (a great place to collect them, I can just link to them. Then they are all stored in one place for future reference.

Thanks

[pparisi133]

Hey Island Girl, you're right-on.....a consistent 6 inches from Minge to Rattlesnake (the north side). We walked across and chipped inspection holes as we went. South of Rattlesnake looks pretty scary, though. Great aerial photos. We'll be making a bee-line across this weekend and staying put at camp. No wondering this year

Weirs guy, I got $10 on 6 sleds/trucks through the ice this weekend....we can only hope no injuries/fatalities.....

[Island Girl]

Maybe it is time to put up the Ice-Out page... take a look at the WeirsCam... It's melting, it's melting....

[tricia1218]

so who would win ice out if there is not an ice in?

[upthesaukee]

If ice out occurs when the Mount can make it to all of its ports of call ice free, then I would assume (oh boy, that word again ), the converse / inverse / reverse / like the opposite would indicate ice in, that is the Mount cannot make it to all ports of call because of ice.

Like most people, I certainly would rather have an ice in mean that the lake was totally frozen, but then someone would probably say "the Weirs channel is open" or the channel into back bay in Wolfeboro is open. I guess we can't win.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by tricia1218

so who would win ice out if there is not an ice in?

As upthesaukee said, the ice is IN now since the Mount can't travel between its ports.

It would seem that Ice-Out would be very early this year but we've seen in the past that ice blocking only one port can delay Ice-Out from being declared. In 2001 (May 2) there was already boating on most of the lake even though Ice-Out had not been declared because of ice blocking Wolfeboro.

Since the ice is officially in now there will definitely be Ice-Out contest winners!

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by webmaster

but we've seen in the past that ice blocking only one port can delay Ice-Out from being declared.

We've also seen that March and April can be as "New Englandish" as the other months have been. If either or both prove to be unusually cold, ice out could be the about the same time as always.

I am always amazed when I look at the historical temps and averages how consistent Mother Nature can be.

[mg2107]

Are they really going to go ahead with the fishing derby this weekend?
Sounds like there may be alot of people going for unintentional swims or worse if they do have it.

[Weirs guy]

The ice at the Weirs is definitly shrinking from what we made up last week. Its 50° out right now, and its only supposed to be cold during the derby. If enough people go thru this weekend, we may have ice out by Monday.

[fasttech]

I just heard the Derby is off anyone no for sure?
Thanks

[Skip]

According to their official website, it is still a go....

Meredith Rotary Official Derby Page

Check it out....

Skip

[CHSLTD]

Just called to confirm that the web is correct and was told that the derby is a go. I hope that everyone uses their heads ans stay's safe. I wonder if local fire/ems have contingency plans for the ice situation? I am sure that there will be a cold water/ice rescue or two this weekend.

[Skip]

Yet another followup story in today's Citizen expressing official concerns for the dangerous ice conditions on Winnipesaukee.

Officials Warn of Ice Dangers on Big Lake

Courtesy of the Citizen on-line site!

Skip

[mg2107]

It has the makings of a disaster

[secondcurve]

I know that the Derby is a big money maker and it is a great time. That being said, I find it somewhat irresponsible that the Derby is going forward this weekend. Couldn't it wait another week? Please be safe!

[gravy boat]

To any and all WinniDerby participants: Be safe and have fun!

Because of the thin ice, you may want to consisder traveling in pairs or more - the more, the merrier. Carry a cell phone. Don't drink too much -- be sure you can dial 911 and speak coherently should you need to do so. Maybe a long rope to help quickly retrieve someone from icy waters? Just some suggestions. Some things I would do....

Enjoy, but please be safe. Happy fishing!

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