Ice-In 2012-13

[Belmont Resident]

When you say "just north of Cattle," do you mean a few hundred feet, or over towards Black Cove/the Loon Sanctuary? My brothers and I are planning to come up at the end of February and cross over to Bear (our house is almost directly across from Cattle), and we'll almost certainly be parking at Cattle.

Also, any idea of the depth of snow on the Island? We're planning to trek up to the church, and not sure if we'll need snowshoes.

There is very little snow left in this area, and with temps moving towards 50 on Wednesday with heavy rain predicted it is a sure bet most if not all of it will be gone.
It is snowing now and we MAY get 2-4 but it will not last with those temps and rain.
If it is possible this winter is looking worse then last winter did.
Realistically, an awful lot can happen between now and the end of February though. Could get a blizzard!!

[MAXUM]

There is very little snow left in this area, and with temps moving towards 50 on Wednesday with heavy rain predicted it is a sure bet most if not all of it will be gone.
It is snowing now and we MAY get 2-4 but it will not last with those temps and rain.
If it is possible this winter is looking worse then last winter did.
Realistically, an awful lot can happen between now and the end of February though. Could get a blizzard!!

Blizzard would be nice ;)

[CampChaos]

I didn't cross from Shep's, no place to get onto the ice. I crossed from just north of Cattle and went straight across into the Carry on Bear. The ice was 6 to 8 inches everywhere I checked. The ice directly in front of Cattle, and south of Cattle hasn't been in as long, and I don't want to be the first on it! Plus, the bubbler is keeping it open for quite a ways around the dock.

I have a place on bear near the church docks and am trying to figure out the best way to get out there this season. Have my bob house and a bunch of ppl coming in for the fishing derby..anyone know how the ice is coming from gilford (gilford beacc or glendale) past timber to bear on the witches side? Any reefs that would tie me up with my 4x4 and bob house? Ice depth?

[Mink Islander]

You have a couple choices that are better than Glendale. 1). Cattle Landing. Easy access for sleds and atvs down the embankment next to the stairs to the dock. The town removes the guardrail to make that access possible. Can be tough to get up if icy though. Better and more parking is available at Shep Brown's Boat Basin but roughy two more miles to travel. Access is up past the showroom to the left of the main parking lot.

Two areas for some caution: 1) thru cattle landing be sure to stay in the middle and be aware of any ice eater action from the mainland side. There's usually some ice eater action from the boathouse on Dolly Island too. Never understood why people aim those things out. Also, there usually is an ice reef as you exit the narrows of cattle landing. No worries if on a sled or atv usually. If we get another long freeze it will be less an issue. 2). Be cautious if you're walking near the channel (beyond the channel markers) between Mark and Bear. The Bear side near that channel can be surprisingly thin. I've seen open water there in years when we don't get a foot or more of ice.

Seventeen years experience walking/snowmobiling that area.

If you see guys on the ice on the north side of Mink, drop in to say hello. I'll be out for sure this weekend and beginning Thursday before the Derby.

[ishoot308]

I have a place on bear near the church docks and am trying to figure out the best way to get out there this season. Have my bob house and a bunch of ppl coming in for the fishing derby..anyone know how the ice is coming from gilford (gilford beacc or glendale) past timber to bear on the witches side? Any reefs that would tie me up with my 4x4 and bob house? Ice depth?

The ice was sketchy at best this past weekend at the end of Varney Point in Saunders Bay (Gilford Beach). Only one person I saw venture out near the end of Varney point and turn around because the ice was not safe in his estimation. No way to get out there from Glendale either as it is completely unsafe as you head out towards Lockes.

I think Mink Islanders suggestion is your best bet.

Good Luck and be safe!

Dan

[MAXUM]

Better and more parking is available at Shep Brown's Boat Basin but roughy two more miles to travel. Access is up past the showroom to the left of the main parking lot.



Not this year, they are doing some work over there and as a result the parking lot at sheps is only partially plowed and they have setup a huge metal barge and parked an excavator there blocking access to the area next to the docks usually open for access. Not only that there was open water there last Saturday so it's not safe anyways. I suspect they are doing work down there as there is evidence of fresh tracks from that excavator. It's pretty clear they don't want anyone using that as an access point so it's cattle landing or nothing IMHO if you need to get on the ice in that general area. Just want to point that out for anyone who may be interested in using it, unless there is another access point that is usable, but not that I'm aware of.

[TJNed]

How is the ice looking in the channel between Governors Island and the main land over towards Boathouse Rd?

[WakeboardMom]

It didn't look great last Sunday for Pond Hockey this coming weekend on the rinks in Meredith? Anyone...?

[Island Girl]

How does it look out there today from your webcam?

[Blue Thunder]

This is the image from this morning. It does show how much of the lake has at least "some" ice. Tonights rain and tomorrow's temps will change it.

[Massasauga]

With a little new snow on the ice to lubricate/cool the snowmobile, I just took a ride out from the Landing to my camp on Rattlesnake. The ice seems good...

The ice in front of my house in Gilford (Belknap-Pt) which locked up on Monday-1/21 now has about 8" of good solid black ice.

However, beware - the ice is still surely still unsafe (or non-existent) in many areas (e.g., around Welch, areas of the broads, etc.). Areas where ice existed before the cold snap last week are likely good, however areas where the wind kept things open are bad and now with the new snow it is very hard to see the difference.

[hilltopper]

It didn't look great last Sunday for Pond Hockey this coming weekend on the rinks in Meredith? Anyone...?

Why do you say that? Sunday the rinks were all snowblown/shoveled and had been for a week or so.

The ice is good in Meredith Bay. As long as the ice stiffens back up after the brief warm spell (Thurs. night lows forecasted around 17 degrees) everything should go great.

[ishoot308]

How does it look out there today from your webcam?

Here you go...Don't let the picture fool you, that is just extremely cold and calm water with snow sitting on top of it. It is still "open water"!

Dan

[CampChaos]

If you see guys on the ice on the north side of Mink, drop in to say hello. I'll be out for sure this weekend and beginning Thursday before the Derby.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for the Information. Normally I go out of Sheps but have been told the area behind the showroom is under some form of construction and not accessible. I am gonna drive up this weekend and see what the deal is.

Will do!! There will be a large group of us between Bear and Meredith neck at the mouth of the channel..dark green bob house, swing in!!

[mcdude]

View the time lapse videos on Erika's Gunstock Acres Cam.
http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/erikas/2/show.html
scroll down and click on "view video" beneath each daily shot

[TJNed]

Everyone open their refrigerators and freezers to help save the Ice!

[NHgirl]

After today, tomorrow night will be back to cold- temp of 19. Hopefully no wind. :liplick:

[NHgirl]

Ice in has been declared yesterday. :D

[ishoot308]

Ice in has been declared yesterday. :D

Here's Emerson's video taken yesterday which shows all the massive open water still. I don't see how he could declare "ice in" with this much open water...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUG6Zzor4qE&feature=youtu.be

[Slickcraft]

Ice in has been declared yesterday. :D

And where would that be?

[DavidAE]

Well, we here at Emerson Aviation were able to call "Ice In" yesterday. The hold out was at Belknap Point to Broadview Condominiums to Welch Island. This area has been stubborn to freeze and seems to be the first to come out. My theory, natural springs on the lake floor acting as bubblers much like around the docks. Be careful venturing out. I suspect that its not very thick yet and with today's and tonight's warm weather and rain won't help it any. Don't fret, normal temps back Friday.

[NHgirl]

I don't think the ice will last in the boards with the weather tonight. All I heard was ice in was declared, but who knows.

[Resident 2B]

I don't think the ice will last in the boards with the weather tonight. All I heard was ice in was declared, but who knows.

Based on the photo from ishoot308 posted yesterday at 1:32 PM in this thread, there is a large area of snow covered cold water that might look like ice from the air. You can see it is not ice from his photo. It is open water.

No idea how ice-in was called.

Be safe!

R2B

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

So, is 312 days the longest stretch between ice out, March 23, and yesterday's ice in?

[ishoot308]

Based on the photo from ishoot308 posted yesterday at 1:32 PM in this thread, there is a large area of snow covered cold water that might look like ice from the air. You can see it is not ice from his photo. It is open water.

No idea how ice-in was called.

Be safe!

R2B

And it's the same way today as well as quite a few other spots on the lake!!

Ice in...NOT!

Dan

[Winnisquamguy]

And it's the same way today as well as quite a few other spots on the lake!!

Ice in...NOT!

Dan
Once ice out is declared and it refreezes does it move to the new day? Has it ever happened before?

[riverat]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xUG6Zzor4qE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUG6Zzor4qE&feature=youtu.be

[Belmont Resident]

And it's the same way today as well as quite a few other spots on the lake!!

Ice in...NOT!

Dan

Dan I was waiting for your comments on the subject. Given the temps have not really been cold enough to support those last areas freezing I had my reservations as well.
I guess they had to declare it at some point even if it wasn't a normal ice in.
Not sure what all this rain, and it is torrential, and wind is gonna do for things but it can't be good.
I saw the tent going up yesterday morning for the pond hockey event this weekend and was wondering why with all this wind expected would they put that up.
Maybe they left the top off, hope so because it is really blowing.

[Merrymeeting]

Once ice out is declared and it refreezes does it move to the new day? Has it ever happened before?

I don't see how this could ever really happen. Ice-out isn't declared until the lake is almost completely ice free (save for a few ice floes floating around or a few small coves still with some ice. By the time ice-out is declared, the water temperature has risen enough that it would take weeks of cold weather to completely re-freeze the whole lake. While some areas may skim over at night, but 10ish AM the next day, the skim is usually gone.

[tis]

I agree, I don't see how this could ever happen, either.

[ishoot308]

Really??...

[brk-lnt]

Really??...

I see some ice in that pic ;)

I think they mean "there is ice, in some places".

[Island Girl]

Might be time to put up the ice-out thread. :( Here in Central MA my yard was completely covered in snow yesterday morning. This morning, there is none left. My neighbors have a small patch or two. It is over 50 here and at the lake according to the weather channel.

The lake cams show a lot of deterioration. My hopes for getting to Rattlesnake this winter are dwindling.

Declaring ice-in, dubious at best, did not show the reality of the several open areas on the lake shown by the you-tube video.

Please stay safe

IG

[Merrymeeting]

Any open areas are certainly going to break up some now. 15 minutes ago, it was relatively quiet here. Out of nowhere, the wind came up, and is now blowing as hard and consistent as I ever see it here, short of a hurricane.
Temperature 48.

[SteveA]

Group of guys pulling sheds, one is already gone to under, these 2 are close to being gone Unless some one gets them real soon. In the second picture the waterside anchors are already slack.

7408

7409

There is more open water off LSP and Ellacoya than last weekend. I suspect Dan is correct and the spotters took slush for ice when they declared ice in.

[nhlover54]

if the definition of "ice-out" is:

"the official Lake Winnipesaukee Ice-Out is determined when the Mt. Washington can successfully navigate to all it ports of call."

then what is the definition of "ice-in"

just curious ;)

[tis]

You know when we were kids, that was not the definition of ice-out. I don't remember when that definintion cam about. Don't asked me how they declared ice out in the "old days", but it was not when the Mount could complete her trip.

[Island Girl]

You know when we were kids, that was not the definition of ice-out. I don't remember when that definintion cam about. Don't asked me how they declared ice out in the "old days", but it was not when the Mount could complete her trip.


That is really interesting. Any other old timers with the definition? When did the current definition come into play? When did Emerson Sr. start declaring ice-out from his plane?

(we have to talk about something if we can't talk about how much fun we are having on the ice)

IG

[Belmont Resident]

I don't see how this could ever really happen. Ice-out isn't declared until the lake is almost completely ice free (save for a few ice floes floating around or a few small coves still with some ice. By the time ice-out is declared, the water temperature has risen enough that it would take weeks of cold weather to completely re-freeze the whole lake. While some areas may skim over at night, but 10ish AM the next day, the skim is usually gone.

Me thinks Mike meant, if the ice partially melts and then refreezes. :laugh:

[Belmont Resident]

Any open areas are certainly going to break up some now. 15 minutes ago, it was relatively quiet here. Out of nowhere, the wind came up, and is now blowing as hard and consistent as I ever see it here, short of a hurricane.
Temperature 48.

It was 56 when I left for Patrician Shores, when I got back the car said 44.
Looks like the temp is dropping fast.

Island Girl, same here, yesterday the ground was covered today the ground is bare and almost all of the snowbanks are gone. This is the same from The Laconia side all the way over to Center Harbor.

I hope the ice freezes enough for them to have the pond hockey thing.

[Island Girl]

Actually something like that occured a short number of years ago. Ice-Out was declared a bit too early, and a huge floe slid back in to completely block Wolfeboro harbor for a couple of days.

By the time ice-out is near, the water temps are 39-41 degrees and too warm to refreeze more than a skim coat.

I have been on Rattlesnake to watch ice-out and it is so interesting to see the stream of water appear, then get wider and wider. Then the lake if on the move and the ice moves, often piling up on any shoreline it hits, hence the dock damage. Then overnight it can skim over, melt and begin to move again. Some years it just melts away without the shore crashing.

It is very pretty, and very exciting. Somewhere I have pictures I will try to find.

IG

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Waking up this morning to bare grass with wind and rain. I took a walk around Christmas Island and drove around Paugus Bay. I can't believe how much open water there is. Paugus seemed locked in even before the arctic blast we got. I figured the rain and wind would do little more than melt the snow, but it really opened up the bay and sent some ice drifts into my dock area. The wind will be back out of the north soon so these ice slabs will recede.
The view is south toward Lakeport. You can see the ice drifting north into my docks. Working the circulators to fend off the ice assault ;)

[magicrobotmonkey]

Anone near Meredith Bay? I'm heading that way in a little bit to check out the conditions. Trying to decide if I should have a booth out there this weekend for the pond hockey. If I'm going to be standing around in 6" of slush, I'm out!

[MAXUM]

I was hoping to get back out to my place after last weekend's epic trek out there by foot, with the ice has hard and thick as it was I didn't figure a short warmup or even a little rain wouldn't do to much, but I'm not feelin it anymore. Looking like there is just to much uncertainy. It is supposed to drop back to more seasonal temps get below freezing again, even a little bit of snow could fly but if the water on the ice doesn't get a chance to freeze a little snow on top is going to make a slushy mess and further insulate what ice is there from firming back up again. If we're going to have a bad ice year then what ice is out there better disappear fast in a couple of months!

[magicrobotmonkey]

Checked out Meredith Bay. It's looking good! I was worried it would be slushy, but the snow is long gone, just pig puddles of water that will freeze up when it cools down tonight. I think it's gonna be a great weekend for some pond hockey!

[hilltopper]

Checked out Meredith Bay. It's looking good! I was worried it would be slushy, but the snow is long gone, just pig puddles of water that will freeze up when it cools down tonight. I think it's gonna be a great weekend for some pond hockey!

While I don't think ice is going to be an issue, each rink had small snowbanks around it to define the rink and stop errant pucks. I wonder what they're going to do now? A misguided pass on one rink could travel through ten other rinks on its way to the Weirs...

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Winnipesaukee Dataphone at the Lakeport Dam, 603-527-0071, reported the water temperature this morning to be at 37°.

Looking back at previous years, I think that this could be a record high for this date.

[NYCtoLSP]

The welch island cam is working again on the rattlesnake webcams page. Anyone know what direction that is facing? Lockes island? Round island?

[Belmont Resident]

While I don't think ice is going to be an issue, each rink had small snowbanks around it to define the rink and stop errant pucks. I wonder what they're going to do now? A misguided pass on one rink could travel through ten other rinks on its way to the Weirs...

Those were almost all melted away when I drove by this morning.

[Slickcraft]

The welch island cam is working again on the rattlesnake webcams page. Anyone know what direction that is facing? Lockes island? Round island?

The direction appears to be variable. Often toward Belknap point and Locke's but other times toward the other side of the cove it would appear. Here you can see the location of the camera in the cove:
http://classic.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNHGILFO9

Here you can play the video.
http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/Welchislandweather/1/show.html

[tis]

Island Girl, I found this in Wikipedia. It surprised me it was so easy to find this information-I thought it would be a lot harder. Apparently Emerson Aviaton starting calling ice out in the 1980s.


Ice-Out records have been kept since 1887 as a way to keep track of when both commercial and passenger transportation lanes became usable in the lake. In 1974, Dr. William K. Widgert compiled data from known records to create a list of past dates.[3]

Originally the Ice-Out designation was decided by people on shore. Later, for roughly 50 years, the call was made by Bob Aldrich, then, starting in the early 1980s, it was called by Alan Emerson. Since his death in 2002 it has been exclusively called by his son Dave.[2]

Ice-Out has occurred earlier on average in the last two decades of the 20th century and the first of the 21st century than in preceding decades. Culminating with a record early date of March 23 for 2012, as well as maple syrup season moving earlier over the same time span have led some to the conclusion global warming is involved.[2]

[edit]

[tis]

I also found this interesting. Mildred Beach talks about ice out. (Page 3)


http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1nd7l/040810WeirsTimesNews/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=

[NYCtoLSP]

A bunch of bob houses had to be rescued off of LSP today. this one didn't make it...

[Bear Island South]

Looks like we will need our skates to venture over to our place.

[littlebearislander]

Has anyone made the trek from Harillas landing to the hole in the wall?

[mcdude]

Laconia Daily Sun 2/1
January thaw = bob house rescue time
GILFORD — Ice fishermen scrambled in mid fifty degree temperature early Thursday morning to rescue their bob houses from an ever-widening stretch of open water off from Ellacoya State Park.
''It's unbelievable. There's a seam in the ice right next to my bob house and yesterday I measured nine inches off ice there,'' said Jim Burgess of Gilmanton.
He was looking through zoom binoculars while sitting in the front seat of Al Bagley's pickup parked near the beach at Ellacoya, where a half dozen bob houses had been dragged close to shore, some with the aid a of a four-wheeler, and pondered whether or not to venture out to the edge of the ice some 300 yards away to try and bring in his bob house
Burgess' bob house was perched precariously on the very lip of the ice, right next to a 100-yard wide stretch of open water which extended from Dinsmoor Point to the south all the way north to Welch Island. A wind from the west was whipping up waves in the open water and was showing signs of gaining enough velocity to make any attempt to untether the bob house from its rope anchor and bring it ashore virtually impossible.
Burgess, whose bob house is well-known to other ice fishermen in the area for its excellent interior woodwork, had left all of his ice fishing equipment and ice augur in the bob-house overnight.
He put ice creepers on his boots, donned a life jacket and grabbed a coil of rope saying that he was at least going to try and get close enough to his bob house to better assess the situation.
He was joined in his journey out to the edge of the ice by Steve Powell and Jason DeCoff, both of whom live next door in Lakeshore Park and had been out earlier hauling their own bob house and several belonging to friends off the ice.
Burgess said that when they got to the bob house they could see water on top of the ice around and that Powell got right to the edge of the ice and was able to cut the anchor rope, allowing the trio to start pulling the bob house towards shore.
But there were some more obstacles on the way, including a strong gust of wind which nearly took the bob house over the edge of the ice, and the difficulty of the trio keeping balance on the wet surface of the ice.
''It took us awhile to get our technique down. I slipped and fell once because I was trying to get some traction and got my boots at an angle. Once you do that there's no way you can stay up,'' said Burgess.
As the trio got closer to the beach they were joined on the ice by two other men, who had earlier pulled a bob house belonging to Brad Cronin of Meredith ashore,and soon they were able to get the bob house safely ashore.
''I guess I used up my quota of bravery for the day,'' said Burgess, who then turned to Powell and DeCoff and said ''I owe you both one at Patrick's.''
He said that he will be putting his bob house back on the ice as soon as it the area freezes over again, which he expects will be within a few days.
At least one bobhouse is thought to have sunk when the water opened up during Wednesday night's heavy rain, an orange one which had been seen at dusk on Wednesday but wasn't visible Thursday morning.
The water opened up less than two days after ice-in had been declared on Lake Winnipesaukee by Dave Emerson of Emerson Aviation, who flew over the lake Tuesday morning and reported that the last open section of water near Welch Island had frozen over.
Emerson said he would be back checking on ice conditions after Thursday's high winds abate but expected with night time lows dropping to single digits it wouldn't be long before lake was covered once again.
The 4th annual New England Pond Hockey Classic will open this morning on Meredith Bay, where the ice is still 10 inches thick and the 21 rinks which had been created for the 1,400 players who have arrived for the tournament withstood the warm weather and rain.
Among those taking part is a team of eight players from Raleigh, North Carolina, who flew into Boston Thursday morning and showed up at mid-afternoon to check out the ice conditions.
''We just talked with Scott Crowder, who runs the tournament, and he told us things are shaping up fine,'' said John Rodgers of the Fun Unlimited team, which is competing in the over 35 Just for Fun group.
The players said none had has had any recent ice time and that they all skate in indoors roller hockey. One said that the last time he had been on skates at all was when he was 10 years old and joked that entering the tournament ''sounded like a good idea at the time.''

[Bear Island South]

A friend of mine sent this picture from yesterday, access getting on the ice at Cattle Landing may be tough.

[codeman671]

Todays picture from Mark- looking across to Camp Lawrence

[MAXUM]

Anyone know if there is a place to get on the ice between Shep's and Cattle Landing?

Thanks for posting that pic BIS, I am headed up tomorrow and I hope I can safely get on the ice somewhere in that general location. May be a futile trip but going to give it a shot anyways.

I know some folks last weekend were getting on over at Y Landing, but I don't think that area freezes to well and I'm not about to take any chances.

[Hamiltony]

A friend of mine sent this picture from yesterday, access getting on the ice at Cattle Landing may be tough.

I assume this is the shoreline just to the south of Cattle?

[Bear Island South]

I assume this is the shoreline just to the south of Cattle?

yes, adjacent to the dock.
apparently the circulator is eating the ice away

[Hamiltony]

yes, adjacent to the dock.
apparently the circulator is eating the ice away

Did they take any images on the north side of Cattle? Someone in this thread already mentioned that the ice was more stable in that direction, hopefully cutting through the small stand of trees on that side will lead to some solid footing.

[fatlazyless]

You know the new $125,000 Cattle Landing town dock, about one to two years old, is a floating concrete dock, and supposedly according to its manufactorer's website, using an ice-eater/water circulator is not really needed to protect it from the relatively thin ice present at that location, so maybe you could bring this to the attention of the Meredith D.P.W., and they would not need to be using the ice-eater there.

www.tmpmarine.com/pages/docks/docks.html

[Island Girl]

The power appears to be out on Rattlesnake Island. This means no Snake Eyes for a while. I hate when that happens.

IG

[brk-lnt]

The power appears to be out on Rattlesnake Island. This means no Snake Eyes fora while. I hate when that happens.

IG

FWIW, I'm pretty sure it's out on Welch as well.

Bear Island appears to have power.

[Slickcraft]

FWIW, I'm pretty sure it's out on Welch as well.

Bear Island appears to have power.

The Welch Island Cove weather station is still operational:
http://classic.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNHGILFO9

[Merrymeeting]

Took my first real walk out on Merrymeeting today, and talked to a few of the ice fishermen who were out (first time seeing them too).

Most areas seem to be 10+". Once the sun came up, and with no snow cover to absorb it, the ice began sounding like crazy.

[snowflake]

Looking at the various cams I can't tell if I see water or water on ice. Looks like a lot of open water to me. Massachusetts ground hog, Miss G, says 6 more weeks of winter. I hope she's right. Thanks for all the pictures of bob houses. Can't see them on web cams. Hope fishermen/women are having a great time out there.

[brk-lnt]

The Welch Island Cove weather station is still operational:
http://classic.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNHGILFO9

Thanks. I was basing that on the fact that I haven't gotten any updates from ishoot308's web cams today, so I figured power must have gone out on the island. Maybe it's just a DSL issue, or something else.

[SteveA]

Still open on the Broads in front of LSP, in fact it looks like it's more open than yesterday.

Took this pano this morning just before sunrise looking down towards Diamond and Rattlesnake. Lot's of open water and what ice I could see looked like Slush Ice.

7432

[codeman671]

FWIW, I'm pretty sure it's out on Welch as well.

Bear Island appears to have power.

We had power earlier this morning on Mark as I checked my cams, it is out now.

[codeman671]

We had power earlier this morning on Mark as I checked my cams, it is out now.

I guess I spoke too soon, I am back online up there.

[Sleepersbound]

The Echo Shores Web cam appears to be showing a combination of ice and possibly water or slick ice. With no activity on the cam, it's difficult to assess if the ice is safe for foot travel. Anyone have any info on this? Does Sleepers have power? Thanks.

[Mink Islander]

My wife and I made the trek out on foot this morning.

Looked a little tricky getting on the ice at the Cattle Landing docks so we went about 100 yds to the left where there is easier access just beyond the parking lot and cross street. A good 9 inches straight out from Cattle Landing BUT as you head into the channel (heading east) it gets very treacherous. The ice thins out to 3-4 inches or less and you will ultimately find open water and 3 inch thick plates of ice floating around spanning the entire distance between Dolly Island and the mainland. The effects of the recent high winds and warm weather very evident in this traditionally tricky area. We cut in behind Dolly Island and the other one there near Bear to avoid the channel area altogether and the ice was much better on the other side. Consistent 7-9 inches all the way to the north side of Mink from there.

Safe travels and hope to see some of you next week at the Derby!

[DRH]

Still open on the Broads in front of LSP, in fact it looks like it's more open than yesterday.

Took this pano this morning just before sunrise looking down towards Diamond and Rattlesnake. Lot's of open water and what ice I could see looked like Slush Ice.

7432Gorgeous photo, Steve!

[DRH]

The Echo Shores Web cam appears to be showing a combination of ice and possibly water or slick ice. With no activity on the cam, it's difficult to assess if the ice is safe for foot travel. Anyone have any info on this? Does Sleepers have power? Thanks.What you are seeing is ice all the way out to Sleepers Island. The thickness is unknown, unfortunately, and except for one ice fisherman at the mouth of Minge Cove this afternoon we haven't seen anyone out on the ice between Minge Cove and the islands.

Rattlesnake and Sleepers now have separate power feeds, so Sleepers may have power even when Rattlesnake doesn't.

[Petah]

Just got back from hours of skating from Pick Point near Barber Pole through the isthmus on Cow Island over to Harrila Landing. The ice skating was fantastic. It is about 6 inches thick of very hard black ice most of which is like glass. It was a great day on the Lake!

[NoBozo]

The Echo Shores Web cam appears to be showing a combination of ice and possibly water or slick ice. With no activity on the cam, it's difficult to assess if the ice is safe for foot travel. Anyone have any info on this? Does Sleepers have power? Thanks.

I've been watching the Minge Cove (Echo Shores) WebCam for a few days. The "White plates" don't seem to move relative to each other. My guess is there is good black ice between the plates. 4 inches of black ice between them should be fine for walking. Look at the "verticle cracks" to make that judgement. You don't need a drill to tell how thick the ice is. :look: NB

BTW: A little rain and warm air will help "Relax" the ice. Good. :)

[MAXUM]

So I hoofed it out once again to Bear this time leaving from Cattle Landing. I however was not quite as adventurous as Mink Islander and after taking careful look at that ice just to the south of the dock I said nah I'll pass on that. Just looked a wee bit to punky for me. These shots were taken BTW this afternoon aorund 4:00 PM.

I decided to hop on the ice near the side of cattle landing road right where the shore line starts to peel off from the side of the road and into that cove. Right there in the corner the ice was good and solid and if you head straight out from there good thick ice under foot. So I took the truck over there unloaded everything on the ice then parked in the cattle landing parking lot. I also checked behind the Shep's showroom, the excavator was moved out of the way but the ice there didn't look so safe either. I ended up talking to somebody that did get on there, again a little to adventuresome for me. With continued cold temps that may be firmed up more to my satisfaction by next weekend.

A word of caution, I did walk out as far as between the red and black top markers just off the BI post office thinking of walking through between Bear and Pine. I could not determine just how thick the ice was few cracks, black enough to see the bottom and a couple times it cracked under foot so I decided to back away and not do it. There was evidence that somebody took a sled through there but that's a little different as I'm sure who ever rode through there wasn't going slow or at least I hope not. The rest of the ice looked to be a good 6-8 inches or more and very solid. Watch out for the ice rifts out there, one really nice one is running the whole NE side of Bear right along shore, very active and very loud. All in all a great day to be out there. Just play it safe if you venture out!

First 4 pics from cattle landing in all directions, last is the ice rift right in front of my camp. Pretty cool, but was a little uneasy getting that close to snap that pic!

[SteveA]

Stopped down for some sunrise pictures. From big pier, as far as I could see the Broads are completely frozen. Photo here looking from Big Pier at LSP towards Diamond.

7446

I stopped by Lincoln Park and Glendale, (didn't take any pictures) and it's locked up in those area also. Glare ice, I have no idea how thick.

[ishoot308]

From my deck I have a view of the lake from Lockes island to Diamond island. There does not appear to be any open water anywhere. Everything that was open yesterday froze overnight. Unfortunately my web cams are down on Welch but based on what I see that whole area looks frozen as well.

Dan

[Islander2]

Stopped down for some sunrise pictures. From big pier, as far as I could see the Broads are completely frozen. Photo here looking from Big Pier at LSP towards Diamond.

7446

I stopped by Lincoln Park and Glendale, (didn't take any pictures) and it's locked up in those area also. Glare ice, I have no idea how thick.

Beautiful, Steve. Thanks.

[chachee52]

Stopped down for some sunrise pictures. From big pier, as far as I could see the Broads are completely frozen. Photo here looking from Big Pier at LSP towards Diamond.



I stopped by Lincoln Park and Glendale, (didn't take any pictures) and it's locked up in those area also. Glare ice, I have no idea how thick.

Must have froze last night because my sister is at our cottage and it was wide open yesterday at noon in the pic she sent me from the flag pole.

[KarmaGirl]

74497450
From Broadview this am. No open water and bob houses near Round Island.

[Whimsey]

The Echo Shores Web cam appears to be showing a combination of ice and possibly water or slick ice. With no activity on the cam, it's difficult to assess if the ice is safe for foot travel. Anyone have any info on this? Does Sleepers have power? Thanks.

The open lead from Rum point to Sleepers froze over last night. Give it a few days...with hopefully minimal wind...and i think it will be permanent. At least as permanent as ice gets.:cool:

[Belmont Resident]

The open lead from Rum point to Sleepers froze over last night. Give it a few days...with hopefully minimal wind...and i think it will be permanent. At least as permanent as ice gets.:cool:

It will get solid just in time for warmer temps and ice-out to begin.
Over all worst winter I can remember from an ex-snowboarder, snowmobiler perspective.

[Slickcraft]

I agree it looks like ice all the way out to Welch and down to Ellacoya.

Three bob houses south of Round but north of recent open water.

[secondcurve]

I recall about ten years ago taking the sleds from Moultonboro all the way to Alton. We traveled the middle of the lake right through the Broads and everything was quite solid. Can anyone remember the last time the ice was this safe?

[ishoot308]

I recall about ten years ago taking the sleds from Moultonboro all the way to Alton. We traveled the middle of the lake right through the Broads and everything was quite solid. Can anyone remember the last time the ice was this safe?

Two years ago (2011) the entire lake was frozen solid and safe. Made many trips across the broads from Welch Island to Alton bay.

Dan

[oldflounder]

These are some shots I took today. Pond Hockey at Meredith Bay, then Ctr. Hrb., Leavitt and Ahern.
7465

7466

7467

7468

[magicrobotmonkey]

Here's a panoramic I took at the PHC Saturday

https://plus.google.com/photos/105779686441029075387/albums/5840822271058359665/5840822271468541874?authkey=CL6hjLz0-ofAIQ

[Mink Islander]

So I hoofed it out once again to Bear this time leaving from Cattle Landing. I however was not quite as adventurous as Mink Islander and after taking careful look at that ice just to the south of the dock I said nah I'll pass on that. Just looked a wee bit to punky for me.


As I said, there's plenty of ice if you head over towards Bear and then go behind Dolly Island (7-9 inches thoughout) - and I bring an ice auger to actually cut holes and check along the way. Not quite as adventuresome as you may think Maxum! It was helpful to have no snow on the ice last weekend so you really could see the quality of the ice as well.

I still would not advise passing directly through Cattle Landing proper for another week or so unless you're on a sled and moving along quickly (snow pending!). That area is always tricky and this winter's weird weather has accentuated that. Won't be surprised to see someone splashdown there if we get snow on Friday as predicted that will hide the risks there just before the Derby. I expect access at the Cattle Landng docks will be possible later this week.

Also, I swear by my Kahtoola micro-spikes. (REI, Backcountry.com, etc.) They are absolutely fanatastic on glare ice. Essentially a set of mini crampons. Very well designed, durable and very easy slip on/off as well. Way better than Yaktrax and similar IMO. A must have for current conditions.

[MAXUM]

[QUOTE=MAXUM;198320]So I hoofed it out once again to Bear this time leaving from Cattle Landing. I however was not quite as adventurous as Mink Islander and after taking careful look at that ice just to the south of the dock I said nah I'll pass on that. Just looked a wee bit to punky for me.


As I said, there's plenty of ice if you head over towards Bear and then go behind Dolly Island (7-9 inches thoughout) - and I bring an ice auger to actually cut holes and check along the way. Not quite as adventuresome as you may think Maxum! It was helpful to have no snow on the ice last weekend so you really could see the quality of the ice as well.

I still would not advise passing directly through Cattle Landing proper for another week or so unless you're on a sled and moving along quickly (snow pending!). That area is always tricky and this winter's weird weather has accentuated that. Won't be surprised to see someone splashdown there if we get snow on Friday as predicted that will hide the risks there just before the Derby. I expect access at the Cattle Landng docks will be possible later this week.

Also, I swear by my Kahtoola micro-spikes. (REI, Backcountry.com, etc.) They are absolutely fanatastic on glare ice. Essentially a set of mini crampons. Very well designed, durable and very easy slip on/off as well. Way better than Yaktrax and similar IMO. A must have for current conditions.

I didn't have an auger with me and that ice right along the shore there was just to sketchy. Once out away from the dock yeah that looked good, but you're right on areas where there are narrow channels of lake between the islands and/or islands and shore. I love to go swimming, just not this time of year! Glad you made it out to your place safe, can't be to cautious.

I gotta get some of those spike things for my boots, dragging heavy stuff across glare ice with none is a whole lot of work! Just walking alone is bad enough, especially when you get a little snow on the bottom of your soles!

[CampChaos]

As of Sunday Cattle Landing is merely "skimmed" with ice and the landing in back of Shep Browns has taken but only about an inch of ice. Went from Levitt Beach through the inside of Pine and main land. The channel was about 6 inches. A reef has formed between Bear and Pine around the no wake zone.. Spoke with some fellow ice fisherman and said they ran into Fish & Game where they had been patrolling around bear, including the area between Cattle and Bear....safe enough for those guys safe enough for me.

Am going to launch my bob house this Thursday, will try Shep Browns first if not will make the voyage from Levitt Beach to Bear. Will post if I am able to get on at Shep's.

[Slickcraft]

Also, I swear by my Kahtoola micro-spikes. (REI, Backcountry.com, etc.) They are absolutely fanatastic on glare ice. Essentially a set of mini crampons. Very well designed, durable and very easy slip on/off as well. Way better than Yaktrax and similar IMO. A must have for current conditions.

Agree on the Kahtoola Microspikes:
http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php

[Mink Islander]

From the North side of Mink Island. We had a visit by a local Bald Eagle Sunday morning who noticed I'd left a shiner on the ice after I pulled in my cusk lines on Sunday morning. Came swooping in to enjoy an easy snack.

pic are only iPhone quality so I couldn't get a decent shot of the eagle given the distance was a couple of yards.

[NYCtoLSP]

Does anyone know if the spots around Welch's, Ellacoya and LSP are still open water? It was hard to tell from Erika's cam, but it looked like it might have opened up again?

[Webbsatwinni]

Has anyone been around to the broads side of Rattlesnake, with the snow (fingers crossed) I would love to go over but based on reports, not sure if that is wise.

[ishoot308]

Does anyone know if the spots around Welch's, Ellacoya and LSP are still open water? It was hard to tell from Erika's cam, but it looked like it might have opened up again?

Yes it did! Excellent info here with aerial pictures from today still showing a large open water section in front of Welch Island!

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2013/Q1/ice_safety_020613.html

Dan

[NYCtoLSP]

Yes it did! Excellent info here with aerial pictures from today still showing a large open water section in front of Welch Island!

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2013/Q1/ice_safety_020613.html

Dan

Thanks! I wish we had that view all of the time!

[Timma]

Yes it did! Excellent info here with aerial pictures from today still showing a large open water section in front of Welch Island!

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2013/Q1/ice_safety_020613.html

Dan

Thanks for the (slightly depressing) info, Dan. That's certainly a much bigger patch of open water than I thought.

My friends and I hike from Glendale to the west side of Welch every year, but looks like we got hosed with no ice again this year. Brutal :rolleye1:

[ishoot308]

Thanks for the (slightly depressing) info, Dan. That's certainly a much bigger patch of open water than I thought.

My friends and I hike from Glendale to the East side of Welch every year, but looks like we got hosed with no ice again this year. Brutal :rolleye1:

I am going to attempt a walking trip to Welch this weekend to reset my web cameras. There is safe ice (Please check for yourself) from the Gilford town Beach all the way out to the back / North side of Lockes island with 10+ inches as of last weekend. I am hoping the ice is safe enough beyond that to access the northern section of Welch. Of course I will be checking all the way... as soon as I see 6" I will be retreating quickly as my fat arse and thin ice don't go good together! ;)

Be Safe!

Dan

[Greene's Basin Girl]

WMUR ( Channel 9 ) just showed a picture of open water near Welch Island. They wanted to warn ice fishermen of the danger since the derby is this weekend.

[NoBozo]

I have stressed that you should NOT venture out on the ice ALONE.

TWO People on a Snow machine IS ALONE. :eek: DON"T Do It...No matter how confident you feel about the ice. NB

[Island Girl]

Woo Hoo... We are back. It was the phone/ DSL.

I called FairPoint today and they send a signal to see if my phone was live, and it was. I was back to thinking the power was out.... I just looked and voila! Snake Eyes is back. I have no clue whether they recycled the DSL to the island or if a gremlin turned it back on.... But I am a happy camper

[Island Girl]

It looks like only one pic was sent.. Time to investigate further.

[NHgirl]

Does anybody know the conditions out on Ellacoya?

[winni for fun]

Any word on ice conditions heading from Harilla, and between Long Island and Cow Island?

[Winnisquamguy]

CONCORD, N.H. —The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is warning that some lakes and ponds that traditionally have been safe for ice fishing and other outdoor recreation are not safe this year.

Officials are advising people to use extreme caution and check the ice thickness for themselves before going onto any frozen body of water. Participants in this weekend's fishing derby have been warned to avoid shorelines and inlets where ice can be particularly dangerous.

The department says warm temperatures and high winds have affected ice formation, particularly on the state's bigger lakes.

Officials say aerial photographs show ice conditions on some parts of Lake Winnipesaukee are unsafe, including an area of open water near Welch Island.

Fish and Game Lt. James Goss says people are advised not to drive vehicles onto the ice because of the unpredictable conditions.



Read more: http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/Unstable-ice-on-Lake-Winnipesaukee/-/9857858/18446748/-/5kfls7z/-/index.html#ixzz2KDc5DOtq

[Blue Thunder]

This is today's view from space....form your own opinion....
BT

[ishoot308]

From my deck this morning at 6:30 A.M. it appeared the open water had once again froze over. It was a little dark but still could see the lake fairly well.

Dan

[dpassmore25]

I don't live on the lake but I come up to snowmobile. I assume the crossing at Ambrose cove on trail 15 is safe? Any reason it wouldn't be?
Finally getting some real snow this weekend

[Hamiltony]

Any updates? Good ice, things melting, lotsa snow from Nemo?

[fatlazyless]

For an informative report on two 11-year old hockey players and a 56-year old, who ice-skated four & one half hours last week, on Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013, across the length of Lake Winnipesaukee from Center Harbor to Alton Bay - 30 miles, and the detours made necessary by large pressure ridges, suggest you read the story linked above from an Exeter NH newspaper.

That is a lot of ice skating, plus the lake ice is probably no-where near as smooth as skating the perfection of a Zamboni ice arena, plus the lake is so big that it could all get just a little bit overwhelming as one skates the distance. I thought about ice skating myself from FL-3 out to Timber Island and back, alone, last week and chickened out what with safety concerns and I'm a pretty good, strong ice skater.

Saw one individual from a distance of one half mile, out skating last week down the inside passage of Bear Island heading towards Cattle Landing so I suppose it can be done if you really really want to do it! Ice skating is sort of like hiking; no snowmobile, gas, registration, insurance, trailer, or pickup truck is needed; all u need is some ice skates.

[Merrymeeting]

This is one of the stranger years I've seen for ice formation in the region.

Like the spot on Winni that people have discussed, there is a section of Merrymeeting Lake that has refused to freeze this year. It's still open today.

The strange thing is that this is in an area that usually freezes solid, no known currents, and it's one of the deepest areas of the lake (100+ feet).

Perhaps that is the answer? Is the area on Winni that is still open a deep area?

[Webbsatwinni]

Is it me or are those snowmobile tracks on Snake eyes?

[Rusty]

This is one of the stranger years I've seen for ice formation in the region.

Like the spot on Winni that people have discussed, there is a section of Merrymeeting Lake that has refused to freeze this year. It's still open today.

The strange thing is that this is in an area that usually freezes solid, no known currents, and it's one of the deepest areas of the lake (100+ feet).

Perhaps that is the answer? Is the area on Winni that is still open a deep area?

Freshwater reaches its maximum density @ 39°F. For it to freeze its surface water must cool to 39F at which time it becomes denser then the underlying water and sink beneath them. This process will continue until the water at all depths is uniform at 39°F. Then the surface water can continue cooling down to 32°F and begin freezing.

So yes depth of water does play a factor in the top layer to freeze.

[cessnaair]

Is it me or are those snowmobile tracks on Snake eyes?

Looks like cross country ski trails

[Blue Thunder]

It's hard to believe that there hasn't been a post in this thread in nearly a month....
Attached is the crystal clear MODIS satellite photo from yesterday March 9th showing a completely locked in Winnipesaukee and a mostly open Sebago Lake. Its the first decent image in over a week due to weather and cloud cover.

BT

[Merrymeeting]

The ice fishing folks on Merrymeeting yesterday were reporting 24" before their augers were breaking through to water. About a 6" layer of snow, then a layer of slush/crumbly ice, then about 10-12" of solid ice.

Despite the current temps, it's going to be awhile before all this goes away. Looking like a relatively normal, early/mid-April ice out right now.