Official Ice-Out 2014 Thread

[Webbsatwinni]

Darker and darker it grows!

[Fargo]

I just drove by Lilly Pond and the ice is out there. I'm thinking Winni will be out April 22 at noon.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Fargo

I just drove by Lilly Pond and the ice is out there. I'm thinking Winni will be out April 22 at noon.

I thought Lily Pond was a two week indicator??...

[Island Girl]

Nearly 6 inches in the last 6 days.

[Islander2]

Major change in ice on Echo Shores webcam today... really disappearing quickly!

[upthesaukee]

Ames Farm out towards Diamond, and a long way out.

Some open water along 11D below the scenic view.

Alton Bay out to Sandy Point.

Lake ice is changing fast, getting very black.

West Alton Marina, by the docks, is almost free of ice now. Woo Hoo...my May 1 in the water is looking great.

Lake level is holding just about a half inch below full lake.

[Island Girl]

It has been a fun day watching the cams at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

Places that were socked in this morning are nearly open. These few warm days have done a good job! I know there is still ice out there.. But it will be soon. It is time for making the camp opening lists.

I think we will have to get that boat washed and waxed soon.

Ah .. May this winter end.

[Merrymeeting]

Drove by Sunrise Lake again today. No sign of ice anywhere.

Merrymeeting is pretty much like Winni. Major change and movements of the ice today. Much darker, many areas open. It seems to be going fast.

[safe passage]

In the past two days the ice in and around Wolfeboro Bay has been getting darker and darker. As a result of shifting wind the ice in the Bay has been breaking up around the edges from Dockside all the way around to Sewall Point. It can't be long before the entire Bay is "punky" followed by open water. Temperatures are down in the 30's right now so this may retard the ice melt and some forecasts say it may snow. Not good news for those who want to see the ice leave the Bay sooner rather than later. We may not see 50 degrees during the daylight again until Saturday. Still, with the wind, longer days, higher sun, and some rain it is hard to believe that the official "Ice Out" can be more than 10 days to two weeks away. That would keep it comfortably in April, something few of the experts felt possible just a scant few days ago.

[Island Girl]

The image is poor but you can see ice in one image and waves in the next. Perhaps webbsatwinni can post a better view.

[Island Girl]

The rest of the lake still has lots of ice. But it is happening.

[ishoot308]

My dock / breakwater is taking a beating. If this wind doesn't let up, it won't be good as the ice being blown in gets thicker and thicker!

Hoping for the best...

Dan

[Island Girl]

Each cam has a different story. Thanks to all the webcam owners. This has been a tough time for the cams, so many are down. Island cams are so vulnerable because we cannot get to them to fix. This one shows the south end of the lake beginning to open up.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Do my eyes deceive me?!

Echo Shores

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Snake Eyes

[Webbsatwinni]

IG? Where did the ice go????

[salty dog]

Originally Posted by Webbsatwinni

IG? Where did the ice go????

That's quite a change in less than 24 hours!

[safe passage]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Do my eyes deceive me?!

Echo Shores

Nope, eyes are reliable. The view from Broadside Rd at end of Wolfeboro Neck reveals the ice is free from The Broads as far as the eyes can see. Would send pics but can't figure out how to do it.

[SteveA]

The Broads are clear from LSP to the other side of the lake and all the way to Diamond and Rattlesnake. Still ice right off Lincoln Park and in Smith Cove

[RLW]

safe passage, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Thanks for your input and hope to see you here quite often now that you have joined the forum crowd.

[Pine Island Guy]

it never ceases to amaze me about how quickly the ice goes out when it occurs... a week ago people were still predicting a record breaking mid-May ice-out, and i was hoping to be able to break through the ice to the island this weekend...

It should be an easy ride to the island, and unless all the ice piles up in a bay and the Mount can't get to one of its' ports... it looks like ice-out will be declared in the next few days or at least within a week!

Amazing... now get those boats in the water and bring on summer!!

-PIG

[robmac]

what a difference a day makes. it is new England though but who cares almost launch time

[dag623]

Originally Posted by Pine Island Guy

it never ceases to amaze me about how quickly the ice goes out when it occurs... a week ago people were still predicting a record breaking mid-May ice-out

-PIG

Guilty as charged
I too have been amazed at how quickly things are moving! I drive past Mt. Major through Alton on my to work every day, and "wow" is all I can say...

[ishoot308]

That wind has done and is doing some amazing work to break up that ice!! I never would have guessed a couple days ago that I would see open water in front of Welch like I do in this pic today!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Dan

[CateP]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

That wind has done and is doing some amazing work to break up that ice!! I never would have guessed a couple days ago that I would see open water in front of Welch like I do in this pic today!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Dan

Wow Dan. Good thing you have that breakwater. Your dock would be chop sticks if it weren't there.

[webmaster]

Emerson Aviation is reporting Ice-Out on Lily Pond. Ice-Out on the big lake should be 7-10 days away.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

That wind has done and is doing some amazing work to break up that ice!! I never would have guessed a couple days ago that I would see open water in front of Welch like I do in this pic today!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Dan

Wow.... some of those chunks of ice are 8 inches thick.

[Martin6683]

Just spoke to Ernie Sr. over at Gillan Marine, he seems to think Ice Out will be "much sooner than 7-10 days"....
im excited!

[Flyfisha]

Anyone know if Minge Cove has cleared?? Looks like it could be a Rattlesnake trip in the near future!!

[Slickcraft]

The view from Belknap Point 2 days ago (Monday) and then today.

There is still a lot of ice to the north, Sanders Bay and 40 Islands area.

Smith cove is mostly open except for a small area just off of Fay's.

[jazzman]

Still plenty of ice at the SE end of the broads off Barndoor Island

[Blue Thunder]

Today's satellite photo tells the story....Sebago opened up big time as well in just 2 days.

[dippasan]

Very dramatic satellite image.
Time to fire up the boats and get 'em ready!!

[JerseyGuy]

Here's a live shot taken just now from my Skype cam looking across Wentworth Cove. The Governor's Island bridge is just to the left, Governor's Island is across the bay and Dockham Shores is just to the right. It appears that the ice flow is being blown into Saunders Bay. I'm hoping it doesn't blow back!

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by dippasan

Time to fire up the boats and get 'em ready!!

I did that two weeks ago!

[depasseg]

BlueThunder - Great sat pic!!

Where/how to you get those?

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by Flyfisha

Anyone know if Minge Cove has cleared?? Looks like it could be a Rattlesnake trip in the near future!!

I just spoke with Debbie and she said that the Minge Cove is currently clear. She said it was clear the other day, but then ice blew back in. Hopefully that won't happen again!!!! We are planning to have the boat ready for next Saturday, the 26th! I am so excited!!!!! If I could do a cartwheel without hurting myself, I would!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by depasseg

BlueThunder - Great sat pic!!

Where/how to you get those?

MODIS Today

You have to be sure to update the day in the upper left corner. Then scroll right to find our coast. Wicked cool.

Moultonborough Bay still has quite a bit of ice.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

WinnipesaukeeCam shows that Alton Bay is doing well!

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Still a lot of ice on Paugus Bay. The water is now up to the bottom of the docks.
Looking south towards Lakeport. Winds out of the east tomorrow could be bad news for west facing docks.

[brk-lnt]

Some open water off of Akwa marina as well:

[Merrymeeting]

Similar reports from Merrymeeting Lake today. Everyone on the north/west sides of the lake reporting ice-out. Those of us on the south / east sides still seeing mostly ice and huge chunks being pushed up on rocks and breakwaters.

But I agree that once it moves and breaks like this, it goes quickly. A couple more days, despite the temps tonight.

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

It's going to be a different ice-out from what we've been used to in the last few years. Most of the melting has been from the bottom up, and rather than receding from the edges, it seems to be going all at once, all over.

I sense that we will have ice pack one day, then it will soften/get porous, and disappear all at once when we least expect it.

I'm with RG...sometime in the next 7-8 days.

Still liking my "second" guess. My official one is long gone (April 8th)

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

MODIS Today

You have to be sure to update the day in the upper left corner. Then scroll right to find our coast. Wicked cool.

Moultonborough Bay still has quite a bit of ice.

What she said....

[AmantiDelLago]

Tonight on NH Chronicle Erin declared ice out for "the state of NH"....guess she hasn't been up to the lake lately!!

[upthesaukee]

Alton Bay was clear from the bridge to Sandy Point. A couple of hundred yards or so of ice and then clear to beyond Moose Island and over to Black Point. Broads were essentially clear from the west end of Rattlesnake as far as I could see. Round, Timber and the other islands heading out to the east side of Bear looked ice-locked still. Lots of wind up here today, with lots of white caps, pushing ice around. Fingers crossed for those who have docks where they have exposure to the wind and the ice. Good luck.

[Bear Island South]

Looks like the wind has taken its toll in the cove....maybe by next weekend?
I think the channel between Meredith Neck and Bear will take some time.

[Misha888]

Windy and cold this morning.

[Misha888]

From Christmas Island

[Orion]

Am I believing my eyes on the Snake Eyes web cam? Broads look wide open!!

[Accipiter290]

this is how i feel as i see all these updates daily

[AC2717]

I'm a scared for our docks in Paugus
but good news is the water is being turned on 04/23/14

[Merrymeeting]

Literally watching ice-out happening on Merrymeeting right now. Despite temps still below freezing, a very large expanse of ice that was there when I woke up is now gone and the rest seems to be melting quickly.

I never would have believed 2 weeks ago that this years ice-out may be earlier than last year.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

I never would have believed 2 weeks ago that this years ice-out may be earlier than last year.

Last year Ice-Out was today, 4/17.

Ice-Out dates for the last 120 years are listed on our Ice-Out page.

[Merrymeeting]

Thanks Don. I need to remember to check. Tried using my memory and somehow had the 24th in my head (second time making a mistake on this this winter. Guess I don't learn very well)

[Merrymeeting]

This was taken at about noon today in Wolfeboro.

Also, doesn't take them long to discover the ice is gone. Our neighbor saw a loon on Merrymeeting this morning, and my wife saw one in Back Bay, Wolfeboro

[JMR]

Again Mother Nature is doing her magic! After hearing the May/June dates it is good to see the ice disappear. And after this winter, we all need the sun. On the island soon! Can't wait, I guess you would call it island fever. Thanks to all for posting your photos and comments

[webmaster]

Post by Emerson Aviation.

[RetreatHouse]

Does anyone have pictures of ice conditions on Meredith bay Eastern shore along
area where Pleasant St. meets Wagon Wheel trail.

[Just Sold]

You know the lake is playing with us by only opening a portion and keeping the rest iced in.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by AC2717

I'm a scared for our docks in Paugus
but good news is the water is being turned on 04/23/14

As of 6:15 this morning your docks were all clear with ice about 25 yards off their ends. On the north end of the bay I watched the ice drift in today so you should be even better than this morning.
This will be an interesting next few days with the drifting ice.

[jazzman]

I declare "ice out" on the broads side of Big Barndoor Island...

[Massasauga]

Attached are a few photos from today 4/17/14 (views from Lock's Hill and my first trip out to Rattlesnake)... Still lots of ice on the lake but the Broads are mostly open and Rattlesnake Island is substanially accessible (note, you may need to push through some ice). Minge Cove is open. I suspect West Alton is good too. Watch out for huge-moving ice-flows which could lock you in if you are not paying attention.

[Massasauga]

Actually this is my neighbor's dock... as my dock was locked in with ice...

[Bear Island South]

Good to see reflections on the water..won't be long now.

[sunsationdave]

Im at 301 weirs blvd we have 14 docks half of them got wiped out this week it happens here every few years and we wait in line to have them repaired due to the lack of dock repair companys on the lake
my dock is the most south dock and is still their today

if possible if paugusbayfirefighter can declaire ice out in the bay when it happens
that will ease some worring

Thanks

[TiltonBB]

From Dockham Shore Road. The southern tip of Governor's Island is to the left

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[HellRaZoR004]

Looks like things refroze overnight.

[JerseyGuy]

It appears that the ice flow was blown back into Wentworth Cove from Saunders Bay.

[Slickcraft]

It's always nicer to be looking outward from Welch than it is to be looking at Welch from Belknap Point as we did all winter.

No floating hazards noted, we probably were just lucky. Also no ice at all between Glendale and Welch.

The is still a lot of ice to the north, however much less was visible at 3 pm then there was at 11 am.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by sunsationdave

Im at 301 weirs blvd we have 14 docks half of them got wiped out this week it happens here every few years and we wait in line to have them repaired due to the lack of dock repair companys on the lake
my dock is the most south dock and is still their today

if possible if paugusbayfirefighter can declaire ice out in the bay when it happens
that will ease some worring

Thanks

I have been sitting at the end of my docks watching the ice drift in and out. I can see where you are if it's the area just north of the white/green boat house with stained stairs. There's a lot of ice between your docks and a strip of open water about 100 yards off your shore. The ice is climbing the rocks in some spots but nothing in others. Not too much wind now. I hope this ice disappears as fast as Lilly Pond did. That was a crazy 48 hour transformation.
Paugus has many open areas of water now so the masses of ice are just going where the wind takes them.
If there's anything I can do let me know..

[Orion]

Way to go Slickcraft! Must be nice. I'm jealous. Thanks for posting the pic. Looks like you've got plenty of stuff on the other side of your breakwater to put into a celebratory beverage.

[RANGER CANOE CO]

Please wear your life vest if your going to be going out on the water

[TiltonBB]

Looking From Weirs Beach towards Spindle Point today.

[ursa minor]

I sure hope whoever is in that kayak is wearing a dry suit! That's pretty close to some dangerously cold water.

[Bear Island South]

I guess the season has officially started, our first visitors have shown up.

[SteveA]

Still a bit of floating ice, taken just after sunrise.

[TiltonBB]

These pictures were taken at 11:30 AM today.

The first picture is looking at the Northwest side of Welch Island.

The second picture with the two boats is Saunders Bay with the Gilford Town Beach in the background.

The third picture is looking from the north with Varney point on the right and Locke's Island on the left.

[Descant]

I just received an email from the Gilford Island Association saying that "Ice Out was declared April 17". I'm looking at TiltonBB's pictures taken today and reading other posts, and it sounds like Alan Emerson hasn't made any official call. Anybody know what GIA is using as the authority to declare ice out, or did I miss a post or two??

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Descant

I just received an email from the Gilford Island Association saying that "Ice Out was declared April 17". I'm looking at TiltonBB's pictures taken today and reading other posts, and it sounds like Alan Emerson hasn't made any official call. Anybody know what GIA is using as the authority to declare ice out, or did I miss a post or two??

I also got the note, April 17th was last year's date. I just sent them a reply and suggested that they check this thread to get this year's news when it happens. I was on the lake yesterday the 18th and there was still much ice to the north.

[billy]

got the GIA email too. guess they were just testing the ice out broadcast system
just checked varney point and still iced in there
but it won't be long

[meredith weekender]

it appears that Meredith Bay is clear. Over the last couple of hours, the bay has opened up and only a small amount of slush ice remains on the wagon wheel side of the bay.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Paugus Bay is clear except for the drifting floes hitting and destroying most of the docks facing west. The south west end (Margate) is also in trouble with lots of ice piling up on the shores. I feel awful as I saw a few people on their shore lines watching unable to do anything. I'd say Paugus Bay will be ice free by tomorrow, Monday the very latest.

[Merrymeeting]

Merrymeeting has ice-out as of mid-afternoon today. The last large ice floe was moved around by the wind quite a bit during the past 24 hours. It started breaking up around noon and the lake is mostly ice free other than some slush in remote coves.

Unfortunately, all the movement and bashing did do a number on several of the north and east facing shorelines/docks.

[TiltonBB]

The same pictures 6 hours later:

The first picture is Varney Point on the right and Locke's Island on the left.

The second picture has the southern tip of Governor's Island on the left.

[Island Girl]

This was taken from the Scenic Outlook on RT 11 in Alton Bay. You can see the ice in Wolfeboro Bay. Most of that is gone now from the images on the Wolfeboro Web Cams... just a little left.

[JMR]

Pictures from a visit to the south side of Rattlesnake today. Water is very high! Some ice floating around

[SAB1]

To the north up thru Tuftonboro and moultonboro there is a lot of ice and it is fairly thick. It's going to take a few days before it melts but by next weekend I bet it is gone. Winter harbor had a lot of ice as well today but it has gotten much darker. Mirror lake was almost gone at 4 pm

[pcmc]

Better up dates here than the 5 o'clock news with a breaking story.
The humor with those anticipating the open water has been great. Now the boaters getting their quick fix is hilarious, doing what they have to, in order to float around on the lake where ever they can.

[sunsationdave]

Well the winds took out my dock today and many more along weirs blvd looking for a dock to rent docks will be repaired months from now if that. Thanks pbff For you offer to help. Most likely rent a dock for now I was watching the ice today wow it does some serious damage

[Sal]

Ice is receding from the shoreline and two (very large) loons appeared today,
swimming and diving. I hope they found some fat fish.

[Dad sold the C * C]

From the road Winnisquam looked ice free from the bridge south ( saw several boats) Got to the cabin about 8:30 AM yesterday; no ice up against the west shore. Looked like one large sheet of ice from Laconia north past Pot IS.

Once the wind picked up it really started moving south and melting. By 1 pm lots of open water south of Pot island in the wide section of the lake. It's really impressive watching these large sheets of ice move past each other .

[tis]

We saw a loon, a woodduck pair and some merganzers yesterday in the open water. It is coming!! I feel so sorry for those who are losing their docks. The heavy ice blowing around is going to make it hard on the docks this year I am afraid. Funny as we long timers said before, how mother nature makes up for things-suddenly warmer so we are not that far off from a normal ice out. It is so amazing. I just love watching the ice go out!!!
Oh, and we also saw the eagle.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by sunsationdave

Well the winds took out my dock today and many more along weirs blvd looking for a dock to rent docks will be repaired months from now if that. Thanks pbff For you offer to help. Most likely rent a dock for now I was watching the ice today wow it does some serious damage

Sorry to hear you confirm what I thought I saw yesterday.
Not sure about this season but last year they were renting out seasonal slips at Christmas Island Motel. I could try and find out some details if you want.

From the north end of Paugus it looks clear but that's not really the case. These pictures are from the Margate property and you can see lots of ice creeping on shore. Looks like the same places hurt last year are getting it again. Hopefully there's no wind in that cove today.
AC2717...so far you guys are fine, but you're living on the edge.

First 2 pictures are looking just to the east of the Margate going up Weirs Blvd. The third is The Margate docks. They already have damage and are in serious danger since the ice snapped a prop on one of the aerators overnight.
The last picture is looking south at the ice area. Yes, that beautiful dark spot is the returning loon. One end is heaven, the other not so nice.

[Islander2]

Originally Posted by SAB1

To the north up thru Tuftonboro and moultonboro there is a lot of ice and it is fairly thick. It's going to take a few days before it melts but by next weekend I bet it is gone. Winter harbor had a lot of ice as well today but it has gotten much darker. Mirror lake was almost gone at 4 pm

SAB1 or anyone else, any updates or pictures of 19 Mile Bay would be very appreciated! Thanks

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by Islander2

SAB1 or anyone else, any updates or pictures of 19 Mile Bay would be very appreciated! Thanks

19 mi bay a few days ago..

[sunsationdave]

PBFF yes if they are renting a phone number would be great
also my boat lift hydraulic lines got pipped out need to pull out lift
thats going to be a pain owell all in the love of boating

[JerseyGuy]

Happy Easter to all!

As far as I can tell from my Skype cam, Wentworth cove is ice free this morning.

[Water Camper]

We stopped to check on our landing at the water this afternoon and saw some very large pieces of wood floating out in Paugus. One looked like a big piling with lots of other large debris. Be careful. We are about 7/10 of a mile up from the Margate.

Our poles on the landing took a direct hit. More repair again this year. The ice tore one pole right off and it's laying in the water. We had lifted these OUT of the water, pretty high up, so I can't imagine how much ice piled up against us and the shear power of it.

Bill and Sue

[RLW]

sbtgregg, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Great to see you joining in with the members, please come more often.
Happy Easter