Ice-out Watch 2005

[Island Girl]

I have created an ice-out watch page on rattlesnakecam.com. (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) You can see ice out progress from one page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm). I only included cams that best depict the Lake Winnipesaukee progress. If you want another cam included, please submit a comment from any Snake Eyes (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/) page

Here is the link:
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

Enjoy

[Pepper]

Fabulous idea, IG!!! You've chosen a great group of cams to view the progression of Ice Out. The larger views are much easier to see all at once, too!

Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DRH]

Nice job, IG. With your new web page it will be easy to monitor changes in the ice conditions at various locations during the next several weeks, as it darkens and begins to break up. Wonder where we'll see it start to recede first!

[upthesaukee]

My guess would be all the cams like Wolfeboro, Weirs, Anchor, and the others where there is already some open water will show noticeable increases in that open water. Then the Bear cam and Pine island cam with movement around those islands. Alas, sweet princess, the beloved snake eyes will see the end, but then again, perhaps the "Great Smile" will be saving the best for last!!!

[Grady223]

Nice job IG, will watch daily until.....

[JTA]

Last year, I was watching the cams, hoping for an early ice out. There was a cam at Siver Sands but I don't see it listed anywhere this year. I went to the marina's web page and the Lake Links (cams), and nothing listed. Anyway, they got me good last year as they posted a prior year's picture on April 1ST showing no ice. I was hoopin' and hoolerin' down here in CT when I realized that I'd been had. One of the best jokes on me ever! Anyone know what happened to that cam?? :laugh:

[Island Girl]

I think someone takes a picture every day and posts it on a webpage. I think an earlier poster asked and they will begin posting as soon as there is something to see, like ice changes.

I will have a link to that page from the IceOut Watch (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) page when it is up.

[Floridian]

Great idea, Island Girl! Thanks for all your hard work! Those of us who can't get to the lake on a regular basis really appreciate what you do.

[tricia1218]

Great job with the ICE-OUT watch!! :D

[upthesaukee]

Here's a look down at the edge of Alton's "Back Bay" on the south side of rte 11 next to the Advent Campground. Notice the ice breaking away from shore here in this quiet cove. In a few places it was 18-24 inches from the shore. Also could notice the lake level down two feet or so...of course we have a flood watch for Monday into Tuesday due to the rain coming in on 3-28 & 3-29.

[DRH]

On our drive to Waldo Peppers for lunch last Friday, we noticed the ice receding from the sandy shoreline in places near Ames Farm, too.

We're supposed to get a lot of rain tomorrow, and that should help melt the ice as well.

[Pepper]

Each day I notice the open water in Langley Cove getting more and more visible. It started as a little fissure, and has now grown to quite a wide open area. :D

[spotsink]

nhboat.com has started their "Ice Out 2005" watch. You can view it by the following link: http://www.nhboat.com/dailyupdate05.htm. They are predicting a late ice out, more like 2001, because of the snow cover on the lake. Time will tell... ;)

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Just came back from running some errands and noticed that in Paugus Bay, the ice has receded to around Lili's. Cracks are starting to become visible, and all the snow cover is gone. The ice is starting to get that dark to greyish color.

Still a couple of bob houses by Saunders Bay.

[SixStars]

Silver Sands is posting pictures as of 3/26.

[Acres per Second]

Boy, did yesterday's rain change the ice!

It went from a white-to-grey color to black standing water covering about ¼ of the surface.

'Course, even that change will change.
:rolleye2:

[Lakewinniboater]

Thanks Island Girl!!! Know I don't have to search for all the cams. What a great idea.

[Island Girl]

Did I do the math right... the lake rose over 4" in the last couple of days?

http://water.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/uv?dd_cd=03&format=gif&period=9&site_no=01080000

[DRH]

Did I do the math right... the lake rose over 4" in the last couple of days?

http://water.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/uv?dd_cd=03&format=gif&period=9&site_no=01080000
Yes, you did the math right. According to the graph, the lake rose .33 of a foot between 3/27 and 3/30, which is 4".

[Chris Exley]

This link shows a current image (within a day) of New England. THe Lake shows as white (the ice coverage). It will be interesting to watch as spring goes forward.

Be patient, the image takes a minute or two to load.

http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?AERONET_CARTEL/2005089/AERONET_CARTEL.2005089.terra.250m.jpg

[upthesaukee]

IG, don't forget the ground is frozen, so all the rain plus the ice/snowmelt has been basically running right into the lake, not only from the streams, rivers, brooks, etc. , but just plain running off the land around the lake and right into the lake.

this kind of weather must absolutely drive the Lakeport Dam operators nuts, trying to anticipate how much of a rise or fall the weather is going to create. I think they do a marvelous job and my hat's off to them. Now if they could just get this ice to melt just a little faster, we could open up the gates a little more, and let Manchester worry about it!!!!!!:D

[GWC...]

Notice that rainfall is at or below 1995 - 2004 average rainfall (http://www.des.state.nh.us/Dam/graph/graph2005.htm)... :rolleye2:

You'll also notice that outflow has decreased noticeably. :eek:

[Island Girl]

In case you did not notice, there have been several links added to the ice-out page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) over the last week.

In addition to that a new image can be viewed at the bottom of the page. This is a shot from a secret location in West Alton. This picture will be updated somewhat like upthesaukee's Baywatch and the Silver Sands pictures.

This outstanding photographer promises to take a new picture daily maybe! (time and weather permitting)

Go take a look

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

As always, thanks to winnipesaukee.com for making it all possible

[upthesaukee]

I like the West Alton Digi-cam. It is interesting to see the ice movement from shore already. Thanks for the baywatch link and I will also try to keep pictures coming. Shortly, I will have to change my perspective to the side of the bay as the ice moves out towards the bandstand and further (kinda like a mobile cam! :rolleye1: )

Again, thanks for your efforts and keep up the good work.

[DRH]

He's definitely not an "outstanding photographer", but thanks anyway!! :laugh:

One additional note ... from IG's Ice-Out page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) you can click on the West Alton Digi-Cam picture and view the sequence of daily photos.

[Acres per Second]

Some folks are waiting for "Ice-Out".

Others are waiting for "Ice-Off":

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Here's a couple from Meredith Bay late this morning. The first is from the town docks, the second one is from the park. The ice is dark grey to black and there are a lot of big cracks starting to show. The last one is from Lili's dock in Paugus Bay. I'll try to keep up with the progress. If anyone has any suggestions for other vantage points, let me know.

[restauranteer]

Some folks are waiting for "Ice-Out".

Others are waiting for "Ice-Off":

Wow, that's an awesome shot, makes me thirsty for spring!

Where & when on Winni (or the Lakes region) was this shot taken? :confused:

Bon apetit! :liplick:

[Blue Thunder]

OK, all you ice out experts, can we still really be weeks away from ice out with all that dark ice?? It looks like the heavy rain has accelerated the process.

BT :D :D

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thanks for the photos PBR! It's wonderful to see the ice melting away. It's definitely helping to build excitement of ice-out.
With all the webcams and now different vantage shots, we are getting spoiled.
Hopefully there will be lots of warm sunny days in our future.

[Acres per Second]

OK, all you ice out experts, can we still really be weeks away from ice out with all that dark ice?? It looks like the heavy rain has accelerated the process. As the resident ice expert, I can tell you that my Ice-Out guess is April 5th. :rolleye2:

In any case, three snowmobiles went by here yesterday, and two ATVs. (One snowmobiler quickly returned, maybe for his helmet).

Wow, that's an awesome shot, makes me thirsty for spring! Where & when on Winni (or the Lakes region) was this shot taken? Are you kidding me? That many sailboats in one place on Winnipesaukee? I'll give you still another photographic clue:

[KTO]

APS, you might want to start throwing rocks, boiling the water, or churning the water, because I doubt you'll get your guess...however, if you want to wait oh say 12 days, my ice out guess is April 16. . . (Crosses fingers)

CAN'T WAIT!!! :D

[Gilly 20]

I have created an ice-out watch page on rattlesnakecam.com. (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) You can see ice out progress from one page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm). I only included cams that best depict the Lake Winnipesaukee progress. If you want another cam included, please submit a comment from any Snake Eyes (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/) page

Here is the link:
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

Enjoy
:) :) Island Girl-- You are SPECIAL. Thank You for the ice out update and the wonderful pics. I live in Florida and can't wait to get to the lake!!-- Our first trip this year will be in three weeks. Maybe we can toast the " ice out"-- although it looks like it will be early this year. Thanks again- and God Bless!!

[Just Sold]

As of today here is how it looked at Smith Cove and from Lincoln Park in Gilford. After our vist here it was off for the Famous Lobster Roll and a visit with Pepper!

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/628Smith_Cove_4-5-05.JPG (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=5953&size=big)
Note: Below the bright white strip with blue in the middle - the blue is open water!
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/628Lincoln_Park_Gilford_4-5-05.JPG (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=5954)
And the boats are being de-winterized
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/502/medium/628GetThem_Ready_4-5-05.JPG (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=5955&size=big)

[Island Time]

won't be long now...can not wait for the first launch of the boat.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Great photos Just Sold. Big smiles here seeing the ice melting away.

[LongIslandfun]

Ok, The pictures are looking promising.....the itch to get the boat in the water is getting more intense....Now where is the wind to really break things up.......

As an aside IG thanks for putting the iceout web page together....I don't get to the lake near enough this time of year.....and it nice to get a daily update from various points on the lake..........

[Acres per Second]

My boat went in yesterday -- a sure sign of Spring -- and a beautiful sunny day to boot.

If only I'd thought ahead, I'd have put the kayak in. It would fit under the only dock that's iced in here -- and blocking me from a ¼ to ½-mile ice-free stretch of shoreline to explore.

Am I THE FIRST of www.winnipesaukee.com 's registered users to become a Winnipesaukee boater in 2005? (I have pictures).

[Silver Duck]

APS

Glad to hear it! You're certainly ahead of me.

Silver Duck

[Just Sold]

My boat is snug in its cradle awaiting the removal of the larger boats stored on the floor behind mine. They are working very fast to get those larger boats out so I hope to be ready when Ice Out occurs. I have the work order already in to de-winterize her.

I took this picture at the Gilford Docks today looking North. Ice is very black but not close to being out yet. The MP has not launched any of their boats either. All of the MP docks are clear of ice.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/628Gilford_Docks_4_7_05.JPG (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=5973&size=big)

[Island Girl]

Here is Just Sold's picture of Alton Bay today. The next one was taken on February 19 at the same location. Amazing.... people find so many ways to have fun on the lake!






http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/519/medium/628Alton_Bay_4_7_05.JPG

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/510/medium/9DSC02994-1024w.jpg

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Here are the water temps preceding and at the time of ice-out.
Not sure of they have any value to anyone, but it kept me busy for a few minutes. :laugh:

April 20th 2004 - 42 degrees at ice-out.
Temperature hit 39 degrees on April 10th – 11 days to ice-out.

April 25th 2003 - 40 degrees at ice-out.
Temperature hit 39 degrees on April 19th – 7 days to ice-out.

April 5th 2002 - 41 degrees the day after ice-out.
Temperature hit 38 degrees (Doesn’t show 39) on March 28th – 8 days to ice-out.

May 2nd 2001 - 45 degrees at ice-out.
Temperature hit 39 degrees on April 24th – 9 days to ice-out.

No water temperatures for the preceding years.

[Island Girl]

...and it hit 38 degress yesterday. 8 Days to ice out and I win!

[KTO]

ME TOO! MY GUESS IS THE 16th TOO!

[Merrymeeting]

Given my guess is always one of my offsprings birthdays, I'm guessing I'll miss again this year, huh? Birthday - today...

[Island Girl]

The ice is variable and quite thin but just beautiful.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/9DSC01068-1600w.jpg

[Acres per Second]

You're a-l-l-l-l-l dreaming.

It was already "Ice-Out" for me today.

I motored down my shoreline, checking the ice margins in my trusty aluminum "K-Mart" cartopper. (Sorry, FLL).

Before I started, I gathered oars, seat cushion and passed up the life jacket. Why? There's no MPs out there; however, the water temperature is even colder than I'd drink a beer at, :eek: so on it went.

It was such a nice, quiet, sunny day, I motored upwind as far as the ice would permit (about ¼-mile), and "sailed" back with the wind -- all the time taking in the sun, critters, and bird songs. "Motored", I mean, with my trolling motor. (Rowing was out: I'd selected the oars without the oarlocks attached). :emb:

It's Saturday, and there's no construction -- or inhabitants.

Aside from a giant front-end loader scraping boulders a mile away, it was silent. Oops -- I forgot. Someone was shooting a gun as fast as you could pull the trigger :eek: , and someone else (at a McMansion) set off fireworks -- at Noon. :rolleye2:

I'm disappointed in one of my neighbors, who dumped tree cuttings down his steep embankment on the lake. (Photo to follow). One of the things that jams up an "Ice-Eater" is drifting branches. They will take chunks out of the little propeller, according to my Winnipesaukee AquaTherm guy.

The water was, once again, crystal clear, and you could peek under the ice into 15-20 feet of water and see the bottom clearly. I'll wager you could see a tiny fishhook in 15 feet of water. (But still not see far enough under the ice to see my "elusive" mooring).

In some places, it was 3", and was flaking off as I passed. In others, it was a foot thick, and solid as granite. We may be in for some real icebergs this season -- and Official "Ice-Out" will depend on which ports don't have icebergs in them!

The water level is 20" BMDS (below my dock's surface) -- which was one of the last to be submerged in the past "flood" (and Lakewide No Wake Zone).

ApS

[trfour]

The ice is variable and quite thin but just beautiful.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/9DSC01068-1600w.jpg

Thanks to your brilliant Photos, and adding DRH's and Upthesaukee's to your Ice Out Watch, you have all brought forward something very special.
Even the folks that live here year round don't always have the time to watch the Lake defrost!... My point?
Now everyone can. You all are the Best!

[Just Sold]

Lucy, an acquaintances dog could not resist the water at Winnisquam today.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/509/medium/628Water_Lucy_2.JPG (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6013&password=&sort=1&cat=509)
I also went over to Smith Cove at Fays Docks today for this shot
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/628Smith_Cove_4-9-05_2.JPG (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6014&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=523)

[upthesaukee]

Lucy gets my vote for "L Street Brownie" trophy winner...First in the water, with ice not yet out. Brrrrrrrr. Glad you didn't have to wade in to get her to come out!!!!! Great pictures.

[Merrymeeting]

The current view on the Weirscam shows that a significant area of "open" water has skimmed over with a thin layer of ice and the temp is showing as 29 degrees.

While I know the sun will melt it in no time, the ice out should be slowed by below freezing nighttime temps this week. Glad I resisted turning on the water at the camp.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Lily pond should be totally open today. In the past Winni's been a 1 - 2 weeks behind :)

[Bear Lover]

I noticed that the ice on the Bear Cam is almost black. I know people talk about the ice turning black but does it really get this dark? Is an an optical thing? Am I looking at water puddles on the top of the ice?

http://www.bearisland.org/images/bearcam.jpg

[DRH]

I noticed that the ice on the Bear Cam is almost black. I know people talk about the ice turning black but does it really get this dark? Is an an optical thing? Am I looking at water puddles on the top of the ice?Bear Lover -

Today's picture of the dark ice on the Bear Cam is pretty accurate. The ice is similarly dark in the Snake Eyes and WeirsCam shots.

You can see another view of the darkening ice at: www.rattlesnakecam.com/westalton.htm, which shows the hi-res picture I took of the ice in West Alton earlier this afternoon.

[Island Girl]

The broads is completely gray right now. Out here on Rattlesnake Island we have watched the ice turn from white at air temp of 28 degrees this morning to gray gray gray at an 58 degrees at 2:45 pm.

I hope to post pictures tonight. It is just remarkable to watch the changes. Where there is melting there is a foot of water on top of a layer of ice. The main body of the lake is very very soft. the birds are singing and the turkeys and a deer have stopped by.

Stay tuned... spring is here!

[Island Girl]

In the shadow of the Ossipees, the lake continues to melt. The ice is very porous and breaks into little shards, like glass when hit.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/9DSC01189-1600w.jpg

[LongIslandfun]

Well this weekend I took a ride by the lake and it is all looking promising. Lots of open water.....Ice out is just around the corner. I am jealous though. Some people already having the ability to get there boat in the water. (even if it was a car topper), and a dog with the courage to venture into the water...I am feeling like I am behind..... but when I stopped at my camp on the Northside of Long Island the ice was pushed up to the shore front ..... although I suppose I could have put the kayak on the ice and looked silly...........

I hope others are as impatient as I am......

[Acres per Second]

"Only a cartopper?"

Hey...that cartopper is on the lake -- and we'll get another look at another sunny Lake Winnipesaukee today! :)

Over the square mile overlooked here, the ice DID NOT turn white last night -- as it had the previous night -- with comparable temperatures.

The open water along the shoreline re-froze, as my bubblers have been off for two weeks, but should be clear -- or fragile enough -- later today for another tour.

Wind opened the open-water gap to the ice by ten feet or more.

It's always The Wind -- the wild card in this "Ice-Out" game.

The ice is very porous and breaks into little shards like glass when hit. Keep hitting! Keep hitting!

"...the ice was pushed up to the shore front ..... although I suppose I could have put the kayak on the ice and looked silly...........I hope others are as impatient as I am......

You know what? A photo of your kayak on the ice would speak volumes at PhotoPost!
:)

[Proline]

Was up this weekend. The ice turns gray everyday and white again at night. The ice is still pretty thick up in the Tuftonboro/Moultonboro area. You can walk on it no prob right off twenty mile beach Sat. Mirror lake is Black and looks like it will go this week for sure. Winni will still take some time.

[GWC...]

This should delay ice-out by a minute or two (http://image.weather.com/looper/archive/us_bos_closeradar_large_usen/5L.jpg?1113329697406)... :laugh:

[Acres per Second]

You can't see this on the webcams, but snow has blocked all views beyond ½ mile, and the flakes are huge. It's as if there's been the world's biggest pillow fight.

The ice has moved out to 100' from shore now, (from 60' yesterday, having lost 10') amongst the "bubbler crowd", anyway.

The wind was very strong this morning -- hastening The End.

[Island Girl]

The lake is up to 39 degrees. The WeirsCam (http://www.weirscam.com) shows moving ice. Earlier today there was open water and ice far out, now there are large sheets in front of the cam...

Yay!

[Mink Islander]

The wind is helping. The current Weirscam image shows significant ice flows. Thursday looks to be a windy day too so I haven't given up all hope that we could be free and clear sometime this weekend. More likely early next week, but a man can dream....

[Pepper]

Todays Weirscam image again shows large masses of ice on the move toward the channel!

These sections move along under the bridge with the current, and pile atop one another just south of Four Seasons. Further down the bay it looks as though huge snow piles have developed along the shoreline - these are actually ice piles due to the force of the ice moving toward the dam. It's fascinating to watch this progress, and so exciting to see all the boathouses at Channel and Thurstons are full!!!

C'mon Ice-Out! :D

[BroadHopper]

The lily pad is free of ice.

http://www.citizen.com/april_2005/04.13.05/news/gilford_041305g.asp

Won't be long! :D

[spotsink]

Does anyone know of any web cams on the east side of the lake? Say in the 19 mile bay area, Melvin Village, Lanes End Marina...

Anyone interested in setting one up? I have to admit I am not familiar with all the technical requirements to do this or the cost of maintaining a web cam. I have researched the equipment thanks to some helpful input from “Island Girl” and it does not seem too difficult to set up… but then it never does until you have it in front of you and are trying to get it working! :rolleye1:

In the absence of web cams on that side of the lake, has anyone done any recon in the vicinity of Chase Point or Cow Island? :confused:

[lakershaker]

Great to see some open water on the fringes of Snake Eyes and Bear Island Cam!

[Pine Island Guy]

Major ice break-up on the Pine and Bear cams!!! Look for the flag to be raised on the Pine Island cam Saturday :)

MELT MELT MELT!!!

PIG

[Skipper of the Sea Que]

I have created an ice-out watch page on rattlesnakecam.com. (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) You can see ice out progress from one page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm).
Enjoy

Watching New England Cable News channel (NECN not to be confused with sports network NESN) on Comcast cable last night (4-13-05) my ears perked up. Around 7PM I heard the weatherman talking about ice out watch at Lake Winnipesaukee. At least twice during that segment he mentioned that viewers could follow the progress on the web at RattlesnakeCam dot Com. Since they often re-use items that may not have been the only segment that mentioned Island Girl's ice-out site. That was some very nice public relations.

Also an opportunity to say, "Thanks" to IG for all her efforts. I really enjoyed the recent tour but can not single out just one of your threads as my favorite - they are all great :) . I don't usually post just to say thanks, but you and some others help make this one great forum and web site. The pictures, stories, history, banter, information and etc.. From the prolific to the occasional poster to those that just read and lurk. You all contribute to making this one great place on the web. Skip had a good list in a recent post in a different thread. Of course, as Pepper alludes, Webmaster (or is that benevolent dictator :laugh: ) Don brings it all together and makes it happen. Thanks to you all.

Now IG, can we expect a picture of the Florida style winter transportation you used for the tour and to go to and from the Island?

Hope to see you all on the lake this season.

[Chris Exley]

Just heard from friends on Mirror Lake that the ice is all gone.
12 days and counting.

[mcdude]

Hi Chris:
I've found the Lake Wentworth Cam to be a good resource for gauging ice-out on some of the smaller lakes/ponds in the area. On the following link you can chronicle ice-out on Wentworth since April 1.
DAILY ICE-OUT PROGRESS ON WENTWORTH (http://www.lwa.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&wrap=webcamarchive&Itemid=41&month=2005_04)
Here's a link to the LIVE CAM (http://www.lwa.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&wrap=webcamview&Itemid=41&folder=2005_04_15&fromlakecam=true)
and here's photo from this morning....
and here's one from later in the afternoon. Apparently the bugs are OUT! I hope not the blackflies yet!

[BroadHopper]

http://www.unionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=53381

[Island Girl]

I have just journeyed to Rattlesnake Island and there is still a lot of ice. The chunky areas refroze overnight. It was 28 this morning.

Time will tell with the warmer temps this weekend. I will be picture taking... and posting later.

[GWC...]

May be a little bit longer than webcams hint (http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=53381)… ;)


Many of the Web cams show open water near the shore and pieces of floating, black ice which looks like it is honeycombed and ready to break up at any moment.

But from the air, it is obvious that ice still covers 95 percent of the lake's surface. And, while there are white pressure ridges where the sheets of ice have overlapped one another, the ice in the most wide-open part of the lake near Rattlesnake Island, an area known as "The Broads," is still a mottled white and gray with no visibly open channels, an indication that ice-out won't be taking place over the weekend and probably not until late next week.

Itaru Takada, an Emerson Aviation flight instructor who has been keeping watch on the lake this week while Dave Emerson, the lake's official ice-out observer is spending time in Florida, says that he doesn't think the ice will go out until late next week.

"There's so much ice still there and it's still all together. It's going to take a lot to break it up," says Takada.


http://www.theunionleader.com/doclib/photos/2005/april/415b1ice2.jpg

[mcdude]

I just did a quick search of the forum, using the "Most Views" option in each category. Unless I've done it incorrectly (entirely possible) this is the most viewed thread EVER on winnipesaukee.com.!!! At the moment 7,792 viewings and it hasn't even been posted for quite four weeks yet! IG: I guess you really knew what was on people's minds this time of year. Thanks again! McD

[Mee-n-Mac]

I wonder what it would take to get a web cam up in the air so as to give a view like that in GWCs post ? Anyone got a surplus blimp or weather balloon ? If we could get one tethered to Rattlesnake I and tied into IG's connection would it be called Eagle Eyes ? :coolsm:

Actually the more I think of it the more I like it. It's one of those crazy stupid ideas that could be pulled off with just a little chutzpah. "Mee" always says I have chutzpah ... hmmm ... no wait ... it's sounded like chutzp ... phutzpah ... oh I remember, it was putz ... errr ... nevermind. ;)

[upthesaukee]

McDude -- not only is the number staggering...the thread has been opened for 23 days, over 8000 views now, and that's over 350 views daily, on the average. Absolutely amazing... who'd a thunk it 3 weeks ago...I mean that many people want to sit around and watch and talk about ice melting!!!! :laugh:


Seriously, give the people what they want, and they will come back time and time again. Great job IG!

[Island Girl]

Sunset tonight was magnificient. My friends and I walked up island a bit to watch the ice move. A channel had started through the ice and the water started moving. Then some ice floes traveled through and the channel widened. This sunset also shows the channel that was not there an hour earlier. How powerful mother nature is!

The ice is not safe for any travel except for hovercrafts and airboats.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01494-1024w.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6135&size=big)

[webmaster]

Sunset tonight was magnificent.That picture is magnificent too IG but you didn't post the link (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6135&size=big) to the large wallpaper size version that I'm sure will be on many desktops soon. It's already on mine. :)

[Island Girl]

Thanks. I have fixed the picture. Now if a user clicks on it, the large version will come up.

[gtxrider]

Thanks and great shot! It is now the wall papaer on me desk here in work. We have a 4 headed monster so it is almost panaramic. My co-workers keep asking were I am getting my pictures from. The pictures change quite often so it breaks the bordom at work. :yawn:

How did you get to the island?

[DRH]

Beautiful shot, IG. So ..... when's that ice all going to melt? ;)

[upthesaukee]

Great shot IG...make sure that the ice is out by the time I get back next week. If you want to help it out, get that airboat out there pointing west and rev it on up!!!! Blow wind blow.

[Island Girl]

As the big melt continues and areas of the lake are opening up.... there is still 1 foot of ice out there.. this morning all of the blue that could be seen was iced over with 1/3 inch of ice and easily broke up as we plowed through it.

Snake Eyes is showing a lot of blue, but look beyond it, the rest of the broads is ice. To the east, another area has opened up a bit. I am taking a new picture every 20 minutes or so to see the progress. I will post when I get a chance. This is a slow link out here.

My ice out tour part 2 is partially done... stay tuned. Hopefully it will be done tomorrow night, or Monday. I can really appreciate what it takes for McDude to do his historic posts... and he is doing all the researching and gathering first.

It is really, really cool to be out here. I am grateful for good friends... on shore and on the island!

Later... IG

[Belmont Resident]

I been seeing it melt for the last 2 weeks from the house I'm working on by Long Island bridge.
I don't see ice out happening any time before next weekend and I'd say later than that. Could be wrong but it sure does seem to be going out slow.

[Island Girl]

You will not believe the change in the broads in the last 2 hours. The wind has picked up and half the lake in front of Rattlesnake Island is water..

Check out the webcams... it is an awesome sight... movies later.

www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

[DRH]

We've had a huge change in the ice here during the last couple hours as well. Here's the current view looking out at Sleepers, Cub and Treasure Islands from our house in West Alton.

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/Dons_Pics/0416D05.jpg

[IslandSib]

Although I can't be there I have been watching all day...amazing the melting
going on. Waiting for IG to post latest , but cam has been interesting too!
Thanks to the roving West Alton Digi-Cam we had more than one posting today.It's been said "the sun will come out tommorow" so let's keep our fingers crossed....(april 20th is just around the corner) :look:

[Bear Islander]

I have put together a time-lapse video of the ice moving on the BearCam. It is from Friday and Saturday afternoon. I knew the ice moved but not like this! Incredible!

http://www.bearisland.org/images/ice_move1.avi

[DRH]

Fascinating movie, Bear Islander! It's amazing how the ice moves around, first in one direction and then the other. Thanks!

[Island Girl]

It has been the most remarkable day here on Rattlesnake Island. At my camp there were a few large open areas that move around a bit.

I got a ride back to my friends' place after 5pm. We flew over the ice on the airboat...

As we were getting ready for dinner the wind picked up and the lake was on the move... large floes of ice went by and a quick pace and the lake just got wider and wider.

We were witness to ice-out. I know it is not officially out and there is still ice in lots of places... but the ice went out right before our eyes.

This picture is about 24 hours later than last nights sunset. You can see the huge difference.. no ice!

Tonight[/url]
[url="http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15041/9DSC01732-1024wa.jpg"]http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15041/medium/9DSC01732-1024wa.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15041/9DSC01732-1024w.jpg)

Last night
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01494-1024w.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/9DSC01494-1024w.jpg)

[Islander]

I have put together a time-lapse video of the ice moving on the BearCam. It is from Friday and Saturday afternoon. I knew the ice moved but not like this! Incredible!

http://www.bearisland.org/images/ice_move1.avi


.

That ice out video is fantastic!!

Thanks

How do you get time lapse out of a webcam?

[Puffin]

Who left the pine door open?

Yesterday, on th pine Island cam the flag was flying and there was a small boat at the dock, this morning, the screen door is ajar blocking the view of the flag pole and dock. Can't tell if the boat is still there. Can someone run over and ajust the door? :)

Is that a bud light bottle? :D

http://mysite.verizon.net/pineisland/PineIslandGuy.jpg

[Just Sold]

Bear Islander what a great time lapse of the ice movement. So much detail it was great. Thanks.

Puffin: An empty bottle indicates a satisfied visitor.

[Bear Islander]

That ice out video is fantastic!!

Thanks

How do you get time lapse out of a webcam?

A few days ago I increased the time between pictures to 2 minutes. I have a program on my home computer that downloads the image from the internet every 2 minutes and saves it. Another program can convert a series of jpg images to an avi movie.

The programs are WebcamMagic ($19.95) and JPGVideo (free), both can be found with a google search.

[Island Girl]

The broads did skim over last night but that is mostly gone now. From what I could see a couple of hours ago, the rest of the floes there were near Welch Island and Ames Farm looked like it still had ice (I looked with binoculars)

Here is how the broads looked then. This is water!

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01793-1024w.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/9DSC01793-1024w.jpg)

[HotDog]

here comes summer!!!!!! :D

[Silver Duck]

Hi All

The admiral and I were up at the lake today and toured the west side from Alton to Center Harbor.

There was still a fair area of ice cover, but wherever I could get at it to check it was just slush. Gazillions of tiny pieces (I've seen more impressively sized chunks of ice floating in my cooler!) :D

Center Harbor was clear; the area between Lovejoy Sands and Bear Island was slush covered (but it was moving with the wind), as was a small part of Meridith Bay; the area around Ames Farm had a lot of floating slush, and Alton Bay was clear out almost to the main lake!

One could almost call ice out now, since the Mount would plow right through anything that I saw without even noticing! YeeeeeHaaaa!

Silver Duck

[Island Girl]

Nice job Bear Islander. Watching ice out is a passion with many of us and you showed the drama that happens out there.

[Island Girl]

In case you have not noticed, DRH has been updating his W. Alton Ice-out Watch page more than once a day. Today he has several pictures.

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


There is no ice in site in all but one two of the webcams.

Front Lawn Cam and Boat House Cam, at Brookwoods in Chestnut Cove shows where all the ice went

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm Ice out page
http://www.brookwoods.org/webcam02.html Boat house
http://www.brookwoods.org/webcam01.html Front lawn
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/ Snake Eyes

All of these cams can be seen at once at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm

[Grant]

Anyone catch the boat zooming through the Bear Island Cam frame in the 1:28 picture today?!? Now THAT is a sure sign of spring!

Party on, Garth.

Party on, Wayne.

[Island Girl]

...sounds like someone who does not know about icebergs and debris!

[Acres per Second]

The stuff going by my dock includes some Mt Washington-stoppers.

One construction worker nearby, very loudly (though his normal talk is loud) screamed, "A tree! A tree!"

Wondering what this was about (I can see 100,000 trees from my computer), I waited a minute -- and 'lo and behold -- a 40-foot maple drifted by on an ice-floe the size of a tennis court.

Yes, it's reported...and don't go there.

[trfour]

This has been The Most enjoyable Ice Out that I have experienced here in all of my years! Wanted to thank you all!

Hope that I can sign up for the train, next year! :)

[Island Girl]

This year's iceout has been great fun. All the webcams have helped so much for all of us. I have had the unique privilege of getting out on my island to watch the solid ice turn to water in just a couple of hours.

I can't wait to get into my own boat this weekend and start the liquid lake season!

I imagine ice-out will be Tuesday, (I would like Wednesday since that is my guess at Mt. Washington brunch contest).
.
Thanks for viewing the ice out page. See you all on the water.

[camp guy]

This past Winter was particularly harsh wind-and-ice-wise, with a lot of 'winter kill' falling to the ice edge, so, when the ice goes out (a relative term), it is good to wait for a windy day to blow the shore side debris away. The first few trips of the season can be unexpectably hazzardous, even though the Lake looks clear. I am speaking from some unfortunate first hand knowledge.

[DRH]

I posted some pictures taken today of the lake from the "Scenic View" on Rt. 11 in Alton Bay this afternoon. You can see them in Propeller's "Ice-Out?" thread by clicking here (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=15887#poststop).

[Loon Island]

Thanks to all of you for an exciting glimpse at Ice-out 2005! Watching the ice floes blowing around on the Bear-cam shots explains the dock damage! Looking forward to a great season.

[halclyon]

Went all the way from Fay's Boat Yard yester day from 5-6 PM in our boat to our cottage on East Bear with no ice!! Today it should be all out!! Yippee!!

Hal Lyon

[Island Time]

is the plane making its flights for ice out? Maybe he could delay any flight until the 21st, say around 10:12 am?

[Island Girl]

Thanks McD for the pictures taken yesterday.. today I still see something out there in the Front Lawn Cam on the ice out page. I cannot tell if it is a block of ice or a shadow. The Boat House cam is not broadcasting so the shore is not visible.

Anyone out there with a digi-cam.. send pictures..

By the way this thread has had over 12,000 views.. we all want the same thing!

[gtxrider]

The temp. on the Snake Eyes sight says 81 degrees in Alton. I figure with the temps in the 80s the lake should be warm enough for a swim! Last one in.... :rolleye2:

[legend]

Emerson Aviation called ice-out at 11:33 a.m. today, April 20, right on time per historical average ice-out date...
This morning ice was still in at entrance to Alton Bay and Wolfeboro near Barndoor Island but cleared later in the morning

cheers, hoist one high for Big Lake.

Legend :liplick:

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Wahoo!
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/images/avatars/fireworks.gif

Thanks Legend.
At quick glance richroll wins with an 11:13 am guess.
Who is this and why can't I find this person in the member list?

April, 20, 2005 11:13 AM
richroll -- Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 6:52 a.m.

[Island Girl]

I think IslandSib in the big winner! Congratulations, and stop jumping up and down in your office!

[KTO]

YES IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!

But there is still ice on the lake, correct, just not in the Mount's path right? or is it all gone? Just curious.

KTO

[Grant]

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

I was under five hours off. At least I got the date this time! (Easy to pick -- it's my wife's birthday!)

Okay, now let's dive.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Congratulations Island Sib!
How did I miss that! :confused:

[HotDog]

I was under five hours off. At least I got the date this time! (Easy to pick -- it's my wife's birthday!)

Okay, now let's dive.

wait so is it ice OUT today???

also does anyone know if it is supposed to rain this weekend? (hope not)

[DRH]

Nice job, IslandSib!! Now ... what are you going to do with your $1,000,000 prize? :D

[Island Girl]

From WMUR TV -

http://mfile.akamai.com/12878/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2005/0420/4399710.200k.asx

[IslandSib]

:D DRH we're going to Disneyworld!!!

Or better yet an Island !!
How about one with no cars...boat access only...
clear water, quiet woods, roaming deer and a loon or two.

[Blue Thunder]

Island Girl,

I know it's been stated before, but thanks so much for this years' Ice Out viewing of all the Lake Cams in one spot. 13,300+ views of the thread in just 29 days! Now that shows how much of a ritual ice out really is.
Thanks again.

Blue Thunder

[DRH]

also does anyone know if it is supposed to rain this weekend? (hope not)
As of this morning (4/21), WMUR is forecasting rain all day Saturday and at least the first half of Sunday.

[Island Girl]

We must give thunderous applause to our tireless webmaster who put up with us through ice-out. Not only were we hitting this thread over 13,000 times, but we were also viewing the ice-out page on rattlesnakecam.com. That site is hosted by our generous webmaster on the same server as the rest of winnipesaukee.com.... and we nearly killed it a couple of times with our enthusiasm for the topic.

Here are some interesting statistics.

Views to the ice-out page since its inception in March = 48,244
Views to all of rattlesnakecam.com (Snake Eyes) in April = 87,137
Unique visitors to all of rattlesnakecam.com in April = 6774

Traffic quadrupled during this timeframe.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words about the ice out page.. this was a lot of fun. Please support any efforts to upgrade the server for winnipesaukee.com ... If each person who viewed during iceout gave $2 it would go a long way towards a new machine to keep us here!

Don, what is your pay pal account so we can donate directly? I see that if you put webmaster@winnipesaukee.com to send cash at PayPal (http://www.paypal.com/), the weirscam donation fund comes up.. worked for me! Show your support... how much can we raise in a few days? .. (give more than $2 please or whatever you can)

Also click on the ads on winnipesaukee.com. It helps support this free site.

[Island Girl]

... so we get wet a little... I am half packed and coming anyway.

Warm fire in the stove, hot coffee, the view of the Ossipee's across the lake, a game of scrabble, a good book, good company, a nap... some chili, Who needs sun... just being there this weekend will be enough.

:D :D

[IslandSib]

Half-packed IG what's the slow down...

I too would like to thank the Webmaster, IG, DRH, Upthesaukee, RG and all the others who made Ice-Out 2005 so captivating...I dont remember if I have a television...I have watched so many webcams and digital shots. Thank you all for your patience and care in providing others a glimpse of something special....

Look for me, or out for me I am continuing my boating
instruction by adding backing up this year!!! :emb:

[gtxrider]

Well, have fun at the LAKE. Some of us will not be there but will still have to put up with a rainy weekend. :( Take a swim for me please.

Thanks for the warning. I will to steer clear of Rattle Snake Island if I see a boat coming at me in reverse. :rolleye2:

[mcdude]

Don: Get ready for more hits on the server! :D INTENSE ICE-OUT WATCH FUELED BY LAKE'S WEBCAMS - Roger Amsden "....as many as a dozen web cams are available on Island Girl's Ice Out Watch at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com. Island Girl is the web name for one of the most frequent posters on the Winnipesaukee Forum at www.winnipesaukee.com and her ice out thread, which was started in mid-March is the most frequently viewed site ever on the forum, having attracted over 10,000 viewers......" He alludes to the "web" cams in Alton (?).....must be talking about our roving web cameramen Upthesaukee and DRH!!

Thanks again everyone for a job well-done! McD

[Island Girl]

Thanks, McD for posting this... You can go to http://www.weirs.com/archivepdfs/wtimes042105.pdf to get the whole article.

[DRH]

Well done, IG! You're getting the recognition you well deserve! Nice job with your "2005 Ice-Out" web page.

[Just Sold]

IG you did do a great job and provided so many who could not be there with the joy of Ice Out 05.

Like IslandSib said: " I dont remember if I have a television...I have watched so many webcams and digital shots." I feel the same way too although I was able to sneak up a few times before Ice Out.:D

Thank You very much for all your hard work and effort.

I am also sending the Webmaster my contibution as you suggested. Lets see if we can help him get a new server. Everyone has given it a work out in the past few weeks.

See you on the lake! - My boat is set for launch next week.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Too cool is right IG! Congratulations. :cheers:
Good thing a new server is on the horizon. We may be getting more members from the publicity.
(Official fundraising starting soon.)
As usual, Roger Amsden did a fantastic job. What a great guy! A legendary member. ;) Thank you!

[LongIslandfun]

Alright stage one complete we have iceout.....Now on too stage 2 time to get the Dock in.....Anyone want to come freeze/////oops I mean play in the water????????

Thank God for wetsuits.....................

The lake needs a heater I think.......

Thanks to all those that provided pictures and IG for setting this all up..............