Official Ice-Out 2014 Thread

[Island Girl]

This is the official 2014 Ice-Out Thread. If you reply to this thread all of the information about this year's ice-out will be easily accessible to our forum friends.

Post your observations, concerns, pictures and whatever else comes to mind re: ice-out. Did I say pictures? We love your pictures.

The Ice-Out page is up at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm. There you will find all of the images to watch the ice melt as well as links to special ice out features such as Saunder's Bay daily picture with information about previous year's ice out. (I will post link when it is available)

Ice-out has occured in recent years from 39-41 degrees as reported by the Winnipesaukee Dataphone at the Lakeport Dam.

Many anticipate a late ice-out this year, so we need some rain dancers... and some warming up to prove them wrong. :D


Island Girl

....... Make Lemonade

[MAXUM]

Let me be the first to post, there is still a lot of ice out there :rolleye2:

However it's amazing how much the ice receded around the docks at Sheps just between Saturday and Sunday. It's definitely started.

[Chaselady]

27 inches reported on 19 mile bay today....

[Blue Thunder]

I was thinking you were waiting until April 1st.....just because you could....

[Frosty]

Should I wear a life vest? After all this rain and higher temps - has this made a dent in the ice at all? :rolleye1:

[Bear Island South]

Should I wear a life vest? After all this rain and higher temps - has this made a dent in the ice at all? :rolleye1:

The shoreline is probably the questionable part, if you can find a place to get on and off the ice you should be OK. Always a good idea to wear your ice picks when venturing on to the ice.

[Frosty]

The shoreline is probably the questionable part, if you can find a place to get on and off the ice you should be OK. Always a good idea to wear your ice picks when venturing on to the ice.

thanks BIS - a new adventure every day - that's what keeps us young :laugh:

[RLW]

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif Frosty, 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.

Where there is a will there is a way to do it. Just do it safely and enjoy yourself doing it. I heard from ice fishermen that the ice is still very thick close to 18".:)

Have fun

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[Grant]

Regardless of the date, with two-plus feet of ice offshore on April 1, there's gonna be some sizeable 'bergs moving around and causing all sorts of dock damage.

[Rich]

I'm just hoping we see Ice Out before June!

[Merrymeeting]

I hope I'm wrong, but we could see a lot of damage over the next few days.

Going outside, the sound of rushing streams is everywhere. The dog can't figure out what's going on. She just stands there and keeps looking around trying to figure out what it is and where it's coming from.

Unfortunately, this means the lake levels will probably start rising quickly, while everything is still locked in 24+ inches of ice.

Let's hope the edges and rocks open up as quickly.

[upthesaukee]

I hope I'm wrong, but we could see a lot of damage over the next few days.

Going outside, the sound of rushing streams is everywhere. The dog can't figure out what's going on. She just stands there and keeps looking around trying to figure out what it is and where it's coming from.

Unfortunately, this means the lake levels will probably start rising quickly, while everything is still locked in 24+ inches of ice.

Let's hope the edges and rocks open up as quickly.

The lake has only risen by about an inch and a half in that 24 hr period. Perhaps by not getting as much rain as had been predicted, damage caused by the lake rising while still ice covered will be minimal.

Back to ice out itself. ;)

[ishoot308]

April 1st and still solid as a rock on Welch island. No signs of melting anywhere around my dock or the edges even after all this rain...:emb:

[meredith weekender]

WOW, What a difference in less than a week.

[Island Girl]

I have only been watching ice for 14 years.... young compared to some of you. It has been my observation that the color of the ice in the spring tells a lot about the condition of the ice. A foot of gray punky ice can go very fast with a little rain, some warm temps and wind. The crystals bang against each other and dissipate.

The lake can appear to be socked in, but a very dark gray and then be completely liquid in two days. This happened about 6-7 years ago when the great predictor said it would be two more weeks and it was two more days.

While I agree that we will be later than average this year.... I am watching the color as an indication over thickness. Now.. if I saw two feet of solid black ice... I would be thinking June! :coolsm:

[Slickcraft]

Yes IG color does give us a good hint as to what is going on. I have posted this in prior years, from Minnesota but lake ice is lake ice. It is normal for the last stage go quickly with a strong wind, leaving those clinking "ice candles". We are quite a ways from that but lots of bright sunny days can make quick work.

http://www.minnesotawaters.org/group/pclia/how-lake-ice-melts

How Lake Ice Melts

In the late fall, the lake loses heat to the atmosphere, and then on a day or night when the wind is not blowing, ice forms. The ice gets thicker as long as the lake can continue to lose heat.
In most Januaries and Februaries, snow both reflects sunlight and insulates the lake. With a thick snow layer, the lake neither gains nor loses heat. The bottom sediment is actually heating the lake water slightly over the winter, from stored summer heat.
Around March, as the air warms and the sun gets more intense, the snow melts, allowing light to penetrate the ice. Because the ice acts like the glass in a greenhouse, the water beneath it begins to warm, and the ice begins to melt FROM THE BOTTOM.
When the ice thickness erodes to between 4 and 12 inches, it transforms into long vertical crystals called "candles." These conduct light even better, so the ice starts to look black, because it is not reflecting much sunlight.
Warming continues because the light energy is being transferred to the water below the ice. Meltwater fills in between the crystals, which begin breaking apart. The surface appears grayish as the ice reflects a bit more light than before.
The wind comes up, and breaks the surface apart. The candles will often be blown to one side of the lake, making a tinkling sound as they knock against one another, and piling up on the shore. In hours, a sparkling blue lake, once again

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Panorama looking south across Paugus Bay. Christmas and Pixie Islands on the left and the start of the Weir's canal on the right.

More progress...;)

[Island Girl]

I just love that clinking sound... for the lovely sound it makes and for the promise it brings.

Yes IG color does give us a good hint as to what is going on. I have posted this in prior years, from Minnesota but lake ice is lake ice. It is normal for the last stage go quickly with a strong wind, leaving those clinking "ice candles". We are quite a ways from that but lots of bright sunny days can make quick work.

http://www.minnesotawaters.org/group/pclia/how-lake-ice-melts

[Blue Thunder]

Barry Uicker just tweeted out the Silver Sands daily picture...

http://nhboat.com/Nhboat/Features/ice/ice-out2014.htm

[Grant]

Barry Uicker just tweeted out the Silver Sands daily picture...

http://nhboat.com/Nhboat/Features/ice/ice-out2014.htm

Hahaha -- I was checking almost daily, and just saw it was up and was going to post it here. One of my favorite annual sites...

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Since today was my first official day of retirement and my 47th trip around the sun, I figured I wasn't going to wait for ice out to enjoy the lake.
Life's too short...bring on the summer fun!!!:cool:

[tis]

You are too funny, PBFF! Did you get wet at all?

[Pineedles]

Where's your life vest? :laugh:

[sum-r breeze]

Since today was my first official day of retirement and my 47th trip around the sun, I figured I wasn't going to wait for ice out to enjoy the lake.
Life's too short...bring on the summer fun!!!:cool:

Oh Ya!!! Looks AWESOME!!! That's the best picture of you I've ever seen!!! Happy Birthday you old bastard. I still have 3 on you!!

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz i'll be wavin' back:D

[Pine Island Guy]

Since today was my first official day of retirement and my 47th trip around the sun, I figured I wasn't going to wait for ice out to enjoy the lake.
Life's too short...bring on the summer fun!!!:cool:

PBFF - congratulations on retirement and your bday, what a perfect way to celebrate both! I am soooooooooo envious :)

cheers, and bring on ice OUT -PIG

[dippasan]

Since today was my first official day of retirement and my 47th trip around the sun, I figured I wasn't going to wait for ice out to enjoy the lake.
Life's too short...bring on the summer fun!!!:cool:

I'll be snowmobiling tomorrow while I wait for ice out and you're drinking a beer while floating on the only open patch of open water there is on Winni.................I wanna party with you!!

[Wetbiker]

I'll be dumping the jetski's in on saturday

[Lakegeezer]

Since today was my first official day of retirement and my 47th trip around the sun, I figured I wasn't going to wait for ice out to enjoy the lake.
Life's too short...bring on the summer fun!!!:cool:Congrats on retirement! Great picture. If you have a Facebook account, you might want to enter the picture in the Common Man's "Show us some SPRING" (http://platform.votigo.com/fbcontests/profiletab/Show-Us-Some-SPRING) contest.

[CoastalWx]

I know some don't want to hear it, but the Lakes region has the chance of a bit of snow and sleet tonight.

[meredith weekender]

According to the Lakeport Dam data phone the water temp has risen to 37degrees. Hoping that this will start to melt the lake from the bottom up. :)

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

According to the Lakeport Dam data phone the water temp has risen to 37degrees. Hoping that this will start to melt the lake from the bottom up. :)

Last year today we were at 38-39 degrees, so not too far off...lots more to melt this time.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Since today was my first official day of retirement and my 47th trip around the sun, I figured I wasn't going to wait for ice out to enjoy the lake.
Life's too short...bring on the summer fun!!!:cool:

Saw your photo on WMUR's U Local. It was on the 5:00 news. What a great photo!

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

I'll be dumping the jetski's in on saturday

I was on a coffee ride and just saw two guys in a small aluminum boat chopping away at strips of ice coming out of the Weir's canal behind Liliuokalani's Ice Cream. They were able to cut two strips in half, not sure why.

I did notice the ice is melting nicely heading south through the canal towards Paugus. I'd say it melted a good 300 yards since yesterday with a large area of dark ice pointing south.

Lily Pond is still locked in from coast to coast. Lily can be a good compass for the big lake. I think Lily is usually 10 days ahead of Winni.

[Merrymeeting]

There doesn't seem to be much change in the past week for most of the ice pack, and I'm surprised that the ice isn't receding much from the rocks along much of the shoreline.

But I suspect that there may be changes happening underneath that we can't see. I.e., melting from the bottom up.

The last ice fishermen in front of my house last weekend reported 25-26" of ice. Now that the season is over, anyone out there with an auger who can periodically report for us? (as long as it remains safe to be on the ice)

[ghfromaltonbay]

Our local paper The Record (which covers Bergen & Passaic counties) in northern NJ has a picture of interest each day on Page 2. On Wed. the attached AP photo of Opening Day in Wolfeboro, NH was featured. Made me homesick.

[Wetbiker]

http://i511.photobucket.com/albums/s358/Dave1115W/P1080747_zps1bc30fe0.jpg (http://s511.photobucket.com/user/Dave1115W/media/P1080747_zps1bc30fe0.jpg.html)


This evening 4/5

The ice is very thick. even on the edges in front of the weirs and in paugus bay. over a foot. BUT the ice is melting from the sun, you can see the air bubbles.....Another week or two

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

This evening 4/5

The ice is very thick. even on the edges in front of the weirs and in paugus bay. over a foot. BUT the ice is melting from the sun, you can see the air bubbles.....Another week or two

I saw/heard you heading onto the bay between my house and Pixie Island just around 6 tonight. (unless that was two other nuts!);)

[Wetbiker]

I saw/heard you heading onto the bay between my house and Pixie Island just around 6 tonight. (unless that was two other nuts!);)


That was me! Beautiful evening on the water.

[Merrymeeting]

While there has been some melting during the afternoons this past week, it's gone below freezing each night and everything locks up again. It's going to be a slow process...

I hope the melting from below is going faster

[Smitty1]

Does anyone know what ice is like from Smith Point Marina in Alton to Sleepers Island?

I have a client that wants to see a property out there on Tuesday morning.

Any help advice is appreciated!

Smitty

Glenn Smith
Bean Group
603-233-7226

[MDoug]

While there has been some melting during the afternoons this past week, it's gone below freezing each night and everything locks up again. It's going to be a slow process...

I hope the melting from below is going faster

Me, too! Nonetheless, I just changed my air res from May 3 to May 10 and am hoping that will be sufficient.

[riverat]

Does anyone know what ice is like from Smith Point Marina in Alton to Sleepers Island?

I have a client that wants to see a property out there on Tuesday morning.

Any help advice is appreciated!

Smitty

Glenn Smith
Bean Group
603-233-7226

There were lots of snowmobilers on the bay today, even F&G came in and back out again. I think if find a good solid access point you should still be on atleast 2 feet of ice.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

From atop Tower St. at the Weirs you can see there's a strip of open water going from Governors Island to Eagle Island then half-way to Spindle Point.
It's nice seeing some blue amongst the white.
Today's sun and wind helped. Tomorrow's warm sun followed by heavy rain Tuesday will help even more. I think by Thursday-Friday some of us will feel a lot better about a late ice out.

[webmaster]

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[WakeboardMom]

I'm not as brave as PBF. I had three layers on top plus Uggs and mittens!
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/WakeboardMom/paddlebaordwithice_zpsfde6b031.jpg

[Chaos]

It looks like the rain may have done some damage. Rattlesnake cam shows some significantly darker ice then 2 days ago. There is hope :)

[sbtgregg]

Just joining the thread

[upthesaukee]

I talked to a F&G officer in Alton yesterday, and he said that he was in the broads on a snowmobile earlier in the day, and that there was some evidence of honeycombing out there. Don't know exactly where he was at, just in the broads. I would suspect he was on the eastern end of the lake, maybe just out from Alton Bay. He did have his snowmobile in the back of the truck and was in the parking lot at the F&G in Alton bay.

Maybe there is hope:rolleye1:

[SteveA]

This was taken exactly 1 year ago today (4-9-13) from Ellacoya State Beach. I have another picture in the series that shows the fisherman watching as a Loon glides by their boat.

I don't recall the actual ice out date for last year, but we don't look too close as of yet!

9146

[Islander2]

Around the docks, looks like a small amount of open water. Ice looks darker by the day.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

The strip of open water I mentioned off Governor's Island has widened with the wind. The lake is up over 3" in the last couple of days. Today was chilly but it warms up tomorrow and we may be close to 80 degrees by Monday.
Smile...;)

[Bear Island South]

Not so promising yet, there are some signs of the shoreline receding, but still looks like a lot of white ice out there. My guess is 3 weeks from today the dock will be going back in.

[ishoot308]

Not so promising yet, there are some signs of the shoreline receding, but still looks like a lot of white ice out there. My guess is 3 weeks from today the dock will be going back in.

Based on what I am seeing on Welch, I think your guess is spot on!!

My two week indicator (Massabesic Lake) has not given in yet but it won't be long...she's just about ready to go!

Dan

[chipj29]

It it is anything like any of the lakes/ponds I have been watching this year, once it starts to go, it will go quick. Most have gone from full white snowy ice, to nothing in about a week.
IMO the May 12 record is not in jeopardy. I think it will be right around May 1.

[Just Sold]

I have been watching a lot of the lakes web cams paitiently for Ice Out.
I did notice that Island Radio's Rattlesnake Island cam (http://rattlesnakeisland.net/cam.htm) and Bear Islander's main web cam (http://www.bearcam1.com/) are not sending any updates. The Paugus Bay Cam (http://www.overlooker.tzo.com/) is not connecting and may be down too.
Power or internet issues? I miss these cams as they are good for tracking ice out along with all the other ones. Any ideas as to why they are down?

[ishoot308]

Here's a pic from my web cam showing some shoreline finally giving way on right side of the pic. The rest is just water sitting on top of the ice around the breakwater with a lot of solid white ice everywhere else...

Dan

[Pine Island Guy]

while official ICE-OUT is defined by the Mount being able to make it to all ports-of-call... I declare a mini-ice-out which is when the Alumacraft aka ice-breaker can make it to our ports-of-call (Y-Landing and the east side of Pine Island).

Unfortunately the PI webcam is down (again), so I'm flying a little blind, but based on the other lake webcams it looks like we should be good to go next weekend!

Bear Islander put together a great time-lapse video from our webcam in 2008 and you can see us land about the 7 second mark on the 19th of April and then leave the next day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUC2tbOjfyM

melt melt melt -PIG

[party.of.five]

This is the current view from my webcam. I'm not sure if those dark spots are standing water on top of the ice or what, but they are directly next to or over the rocks we have out there.

But that's definitely floating ice, so there's that, and today is the first day I've seen the beach since October. It's slow, but it's happening. :)

(this is channel between moultonborough bay and green's basin if you don't remember my post from a few weeks ago)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[party.of.five]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/11/y8yqatu6.jpg

Might help if I attach the picture. Oops.


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[Webbsatwinni]

Looks to be pulling away from the shore. Still a while to go, but any hope, is still hope!

[Misha888]

The wind is working its magic. The temps dipping down in the 20's is working against them, though.

[meredith weekender]

Stevens Pond in Manchester was officially iced out yesterday and that is typically a two week indicator for Winni. Here's to hoping for some warm sunshine and strong winds.

[ishoot308]

I was talking to friend who was out on the lake snowmobiling yesterday afternoon and while the edges are giving way, he said he cut a couple holes in Sanders bay and there is still 18"- 20" of ice...

Near 80 degrees on Monday followed up by a day of rain should do a number on it...

Dan

[Webbsatwinni]

A lot darker today, or wishful thinking?

[chipj29]

Stevens Pond in Manchester was officially iced out yesterday and that is typically a two week indicator for Winni. Here's to hoping for some warm sunshine and strong winds.

I use Stevens Pond as my indicator as well. I have seen it be as much as 3 weeks apart from Winni.

[Blue Thunder]

A lot darker today, or wishful thinking?
Yup...because it's cloudy.

[Happy Gourmand]

Hasn't one of the indicators for ice out for Winni been Lily Pond in Gilford?

[SIKSUKR]

Stevens pond is almost always about the same day as the pond across the street from my house which was almost out today.I usually add about 2 weeks for Winni.I'll add a little for the excess ice and say.......April 29.

[salty dog]

The wind is working its magic. The temps dipping down in the 20's is working against them, though.

Very nice panorama shot.

[codeman671]

Willand Pond in Dover is typically a 2 week indicator. It will be clear most likely tomorrow. I don't see this holding true this year with 2 feet still on the lake.

[Blue Thunder]

Today's High-Res Satellite photo....the process is underway for sure.

[mhtranger]

Hasn't one of the indicators for ice out for Winni been Lily Pond in Gilford?

Yes it is usually two weeks after Lily goes out. My guess is it will be longer this year.

[itchin for fishin]

My pool has been a good two week indicator. Since 1999, I have always had the cover off by this date. Today, I went to check, it is at least 10 days out, maybe longer. It will be a May Ice-Out this year.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

I have been keeping track of Silver Lake in Hollis for the last ten years now in relation to the the big lake's ice-out. Silver Lake's ice was out this morning. If the last ten years hold true, Winnipesaukee will be next Friday. :D I hope! Snake Eyes is looking very promising!

[ishoot308]

I just went by Lilly pond and it's still locked up solid...

Dan

[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.

[meredith weekender]

Let's just settle on another 10 days and ice out will be my Birthday present this year. Lol.

[Lakegeezer]

The "three week till iceout" indicator that I've used for over 20 years started showing last Monday, which would put iceout on April 28'th. The ice changed a lot this past week, and is starting to look gray. However, where it pulled away from the shore, there is a foot or more of clear ice showing. The lake level rose over a foot in the past week, and moving the ice around will accelerate melting. I wouldn't be surprised if it holds out till May 1'st, but don't think it will be setting records. If a new iceout contest opened today, I'd go with Monday, April 28'th.

[Slickcraft]

The ice between Ellacoya and South Welch appears to be on the Last In First Out track.

Looking out from Belknap Point, the ice in general is getting darker in color, evidence that the ice candles are forming. I expect a lot of color change in the next few warm days.

[Chaos]

If my math is correct, the 21st would be your birthday and mine. that was my official pick, let's see if it happens :)

[Rattlesnake Gal]

According to Winnipesaukee Data Phone, the water temperature hit 40° Today! What a weird year. :laugh:

[Just Sold]

I think it will be 2 more weeks before Ice Out is Declared.
Top to bottom 4/12/14: Smith Cove looking outward, Fay's Boat Yard channel at Rack building, 4"-5" thick ice at Fay's gas dock

[tis]

The 21st was my Mom's birthday and the most popular average day for ice out in my mind.

[MDoug]

Anyone have current photos of ice around Bear Island? Bear Cam seems to be down right now. Power out?

[meredith weekender]

GREAT progress today!!!

[Just Sold]

Big changes on Winnisquam this afternoon. Taken from Steel Hill resorts web cam just before 6 PM.

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[Bear Island South]

Anyone have current photos of ice around Bear Island? Bear Cam seems to be down right now. Power out?

These are from the south end of Bear looking towards Mark Island.
There has been significant color change since I last posted and the shoreline is out a good 10+feet, however I still think it will be April 30 for an ice-out.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

I just went by Lilly pond and it's still locked up solid...

Dan

Dan, I noticed a big change this morning on Lilly. The shorelines and areas around the light stations have opened. The ice is very dark. This morning's heavy rain and tomorrow's warmth should accelerate the melting.

The lake will be up close to the bottom of my docks by Tuesday. The lake rise has been very fast. The ice has receded quite a bit along the bay.

Bass boat going in Monday...it won't be long before Paugus ice out is declared.

[ApS]

Yes IG color does give us a good hint as to what is going on. I have posted this in prior years, from Minnesota but lake ice is lake ice. It is normal for the last stage go quickly with a strong wind, leaving those clinking "ice candles". We are quite a ways from that but lots of bright sunny days can make quick work.

http://www.minnesotawaters.org/group/pclia/how-lake-ice-melts



A close-up of one "ice candle" resting on a 2x4—more "ice candles" in the background:

[Webbsatwinni]

So exciting to see the ice give up. A great community of webcams and local pictures make it possible to enjoy it from CT while waiting to put the boat in. Here is my contribution today.

[Merrymeeting]

The next few days will be interesting. Very high temps tomorrow with lots of wind. I noticed the ice pack in front of my house moved significantly for the first time this morning. Unfortunately, this could also mean lots of damage as these large chunks of ice move around in the wind.

But mid-week we're going to have temps below freezing for a few nights. That will slow things down again.

[SteveA]

Opeeche is almost ice free, but I think that is due to the flow from the dam, and large parts of Winnisquam ore open around the car bridge and along the shore on the way to Tilton.

Lilly Pond was really looking dark yesterday afternoon, but Saltmarsh Pond is still locked up.

[party.of.five]

Took a ride up to the lake today for the first time since October...the annual pilgrimage to rustle out any overwintering critters (none this year) and to get the process of opening the house started. My husband is a crazy, but he brought some ice back for inspection. Definite candling happening at the edges. Not sure how thick it is further out but we weren't going out there for a closer look lol.


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/14/apuvuhy2.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/14/8atuvu8a.jpg


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[Merrymeeting]

I just drove by Sunrise Lake in Middleton, between Farmington and Wolfeboro. Yesterday it was completely ice covered. Today there are large patches of open water and the ice seems to be disappearing fast. In fact there was more open water than ice. Quite a change from yesterday!

[AC2717]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/14/apuvuhy2.jpg


That is a wicked Cool Ice Breaker Boat you have there!!:laugh:

[party.of.five]

I told you he was crazy, LOL!


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[Merrymeeting]

I wanted to test the ice so I pushed my kayak onto the ice just in case it wasn't strong enough to hold me. Unfortunately, it still is. Once you get beyond the shoreline, the ice is still very strong and thick.

[polarisman14]

Going out on the kayaks and breaking through the ice is a blast. We spent 3 or 4 hours doing that one afternoon on Shellcamp. You just have to time it right, otherwise you can't get anywhere. We hit it just right last year and a huge section of ice was about an inch thick--enough that when the kayak got up on it, it broke through and you could shove the whole piece away from you and keep going. The people who saw us from shore must have thought we were nuts :emb:

[riverat]

Took a ride up to the lake today for the first time since October...the annual pilgrimage to rustle out any overwintering critters (none this year)

I check monthly on several seasonal homes where I live for critters during the winter months, and some winters it has been a battle but this winter hardly anything disturb. Do you think it has anything to do with the harsh winter and the shortage of pinecones and acorns last fall.

[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]

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! :D

[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. :cheers:

[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 (http://www.echoshorescam.com/)

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Snake Eyes (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/)

[Webbsatwinni]

IG? Where did the ice go????

[salty dog]

IG? Where did the ice go????

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

[safe passage]

Do my eyes deceive me?!

Echo Shores (http://www.echoshorescam.com/)

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]

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif 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.:)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[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]

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 :blush:
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]

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 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emerson-Aviation/131847876851023?fref=ts) is reporting Ice-Out on Lily Pond. Ice-Out on the big lake should be 7-10 days away.

[Blue Thunder]

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!:D

[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!:D

[MAXUM]

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

I did that two weeks ago! :D

[depasseg]

BlueThunder - Great sat pic!!

Where/how to you get those?

[Rattlesnake Gal]

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. :eek: Hopefully that won't happen again!!!! We are planning to have the boat ready for next Saturday, the 26th! :D I am so excited!!!!! If I could do a cartwheel without hurting myself, I would! :laugh:

[Rattlesnake Gal]

BlueThunder - Great sat pic!!

Where/how to you get those?

MODIS Today (http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2014_04_16_106&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA4&resolution=250m)

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 (http://www.lakesregionwireless.net/bay/webcam.html) still has quite a bit of ice.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

WinnipesaukeeCam (http://www.winnipesaukeecam.com/) 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:
http://akwa.m2mcamview.com/cam1/2014-04-16/2014-04-16_17:01.jpg

[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]

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) ;) :cool:

[Blue Thunder]

MODIS Today (http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2014_04_16_106&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA4&resolution=250m)

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 (http://www.lakesregionwireless.net/bay/webcam.html) 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!!:banana:

[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]

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 (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/index.php?pageid=iceout).

[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]

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[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]

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

9246

[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]

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. :eek:

[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.

9255

[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]

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 :confused:
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]

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]

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]

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! :D

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]

http://i44.tinypic.com/1499wms.gif 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

http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[safe passage]

Update on Wolfeboro Bay this evening. We still have ice floating in the Bay and on into South Wolfeboro Bay. Sewall Point light buoy has ice all around it but otherwise the ice is just about gone in this end of the lake. Won't be long now.

[Steveo]

It was but a few weeks ago that I mentioned that my boat was scheduled to go in on May 3rd and we all agreed there was no chance. I also guess April 23rd for ice out, which at the time, was at least 2 weeks early of what everyone was thinking. How things changed so fast, boat will be in the water May 3rd and I have a decent chance of winning ice out contest.

[Pine Island Guy]

Thanks to Misty Blue, the Alumacraft was all fired up and ready to go! The ice was all clear from Y-Landing to the western side of Pine Island and then was able to stay close to shore and get to the house on the eastern side... still plenty of ice in front of the house all the way to Trexlers... but with the sun and a little bit of wind, it should go in a day or two!

Great to spend the weekend out there, all is good... bring on summer! -PIG

[MAXUM]

still plenty of ice in front of the house all the way to Trexlers... but with the sun and a little bit of wind, it should go in a day or two!

Great to spend the weekend out there, all is good... bring on summer! -PIG

I hope so I want to try to make it out to my place next weekend, maybe even get my dock put in if the ice is officially out.

[fatlazyless]

I noticed that the Cattle Landing, Town of Meredith, town dock had its three fiberglass pylons which hold it in place have been pushed way off 90-degree vertical by a layer of moving ice probably about three days ago. All three pylons are leaning as opposed to vertical with the outer one having the most lean; about five feet of lean difference between the base where it goes into the lake bottom and the slider socket where the floating dock is "held" to it. It's enough of a lean so the floating dock is all askew, and no longer horizontal, with it held in place in a lopsided position and it's a floating dock; still usable by boaters unless the town decides to close it for safety reasons......one never knows(?).

And, all the ice in the area has disappeared and it's all open water from Cattle Landing to Mark Isl to Timber Isl to Governors Isl.

[Pine Island Guy]

I hope so I want to try to make it out to my place next weekend

MAXUM - you should be able to get to your place easily, even with the current ice situation... the channel in between the mainland and Bear/Pine is pretty open and the ice that is there can be pushed through easily over to the PO... and is melted far back enough from the shoreline to get around the north side of Bear... the rest is soft enough that with some good wind, should push it out and break it up pretty quickly (especially with a few nice sunny days)...

Lake level is nice and high, didn't see much floating debris -PIG

[MAXUM]

MAXUM - you should be able to get to your place easily, even with the current ice situation... the channel in between the mainland and Bear/Pine is pretty open and the ice that is there can be pushed through easily over to the PO... and is melted far back enough from the shoreline to get around the north side of Bear... the rest is soft enough that with some good wind, should push it out and break it up pretty quickly (especially with a few nice sunny days)...

Lake level is nice and high, didn't see much floating debris -PIG

Thanks!!! It's been 3 weeks since I've been out so ya know going through withdrawls. Hopefully it'll be nice out. Ideally like you say the ice will be gone.

[Misha888]

Smith Cove and The Witches are clear of ice. Marine patrol checking in on the fishermen today.

[Oregonrain]

I don't see any ice in the Weirs Cam. I can't believe how quickly it's gone! Has ice out been declared yet?

[GodSmile]

Smith Cove and The Witches are clear of ice. Marine patrol checking in on the fishermen today.

Does anyone know if Ice is out of Fay's?

[HellRaZoR004]

Still plenty of ice off Black Cat Island

http://www.blackcatnh.com/

[safe passage]

I noticed that the Cattle Landing, Town of Meredith, town dock had its three fiberglass pylons which hold it in place have been pushed way off 90-degree vertical by a layer of moving ice probably about three days ago. All three pylons are leaning as opposed to vertical with the outer one having the most lean; about five feet of lean difference between the base where it goes into the lake bottom and the slider socket where the floating dock is "held" to it. It's enough of a lean so the floating dock is all askew, and no longer horizontal, with it held in place in a lopsided position and it's a floating dock; still usable by boaters unless the town decides to close it for safety reasons......one never knows(?).

And, all the ice in the area has disappeared and it's all open water from Cattle Landing to Mark Isl to Timber Isl to Governors Isl.

Thanks for the info. I was just up lake from Wolfeboro and encountered no ice until I got to the area between Round Island and Timber Island. Couldn't go between Timber and Mark Island. Made it past Cattle Landing but not past Rock Island. Seemed to be iced in from there until about Loon Island so I would say ice out will have to wait for at least the area in between Bear Island and Camp Menotomy. Hard to tell from the water though.

Also lots of free floating ice between Maiden Lady Cove on Meredith Neck quite a ways up As far as I could see. Couldn't get much past the line between Sachems Cove and Maiden Lady Cove north. Never got to Center Harbor. Not long though as rest of lake is pretty open. This was as of 4:30 PM TODAY

[webmaster]

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[Slickcraft]

Does anyone know if Ice is out of Fay's?

Yes, has been clear since Friday out through Smith Cove past FL 26 all the way to Welch!

[AkwaMarina]

You can just about watch it melt, all of Meredith Bay will be clear of ice I bet tomorrow.

[Misha888]

Does anyone know if Ice is out of Fay's?

No ice in the cove. :)

[fatlazyless]

Apparently, the town has decided to close the Cattle Landing town dock due to it being a little bit topsie-turvy what with all three pylons having been ice-sheet and wind moved out of their correct vertical position.

Bright yellow safety tape and two M-DPW wood horses now block off the entrance, plus the steel staircase has been lifted up and away from the floating dock ....... but on the bright side, it looks like an easy fix to just re-position the three pylons and will probably get fixed asap-pdq in my humble opinion ..... wait and see?

So, let me see .... the old Cattle Landing dock was in-place for maybe 75-years and was a log timber and rock crib style construction ...... and going back to 1992 it was never closed to use due to ice damage......and this new floating dock which was constructed in 2012 is now closed ......and unlike the old dock.....boaters cannot easily use the outermost end as a drop-off /pick-up spot due to the pylon in that spot .... and it's the pylon design that unlike the old crib design got damaged by the ice. It sure seems like the old rock and timber dock was a more rugged design better able to stand up to wind driven ice than the existing floating dock which cost about 125 thousand dollars in 2012.

So knowing all this .... if the town could return to 2012 and redo the dock construction decision....would they go with another stone and timber crib dock similar to the old one ...... or go with a floating dock? As the saying goes....hindsight is always 20-20.

Driving down the six mile long Meredith Neck Rd is a drive down a road that is falling apart.....it is a State of NH road as opposed to a Town of Meredith road.....and the asphalt is falling apart with numerous cracks, bulges, cold patch repairs, and missing pieces of asphalt....and once you get to the Cattle Landing town dock.....the dock is closed due to ice damage due in large part to a crappy floating design.

Once upon a time....the road got maintained and the old dock was rugged enough to stand up to the ice-out movement....but not anymore.

[tis]

Very interesting comment, FLL. Guess things ain't what they usta' be.

[CAVU]

I guessed Apr23rd too. I can't remember the exact time and don't know how many people we're guessing around me. How would you know if you won, do you get notified?

[webmaster]

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[Island Girl]

That area of the lake appears to be in a different weather zone.... so much ice there when the rest of the lake is out. Maybe it is a thick plastic coating that will never give way! It is just sitting there, taunting us.

Given the location of the ice, we will travel to our island ice-out or not this weekend.

:coolsm:

[Resident 2B]

A shift in the wind direction will finish the ice off. One is on the way!

R2B

[Andrea.wiltfong]

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I totally picked April 23rd! Yeah baby!

[party.of.five]

Ice is gone in the channel near Ambrose Cove. The dock is nearly underwater, but it's still standing so it's all good. I feel so awful for those who have damage. What an odd year.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/23/me8ymu9e.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Island Girl]

I totally picked April 23rd! Yeah baby!
You and 26 others!

[Flyfisha]

Only one on rattlesnake for two days!! No ice or people in sight!!!

[webmaster]

Only 4 days ago:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3nN3irC7lyc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Island Girl]

I was just watching the ice melt.... on a few cams. The ice was literally melting before my eyes... and then the cams stopped sending images (most cams are set to stop sending after dark, more or less).

The Bear Cams had a lot of ice.... and then they didn't! Amazing to watch from afar.

The wind is picking up so it will be gone soon.. very soon. Make sure to watch Gatto Nero's video of the ice piling up on his breakwater a few minutes ago. If you have never seen the ice candles... you will see them around the middle of the video. Also.. turn the sound up to hear the power of Mother Nature!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3Ac6La0AI8&feature=youtu.be


IG

[JMR]

I went out and opened the island for the season today. Only saw one other boat all day. Missed the airplane crash. but had a great day. No ice or debris in sight. Really wanted to stay the night, but had to come back to seacoast. First of many visits!

One note neither West Alton Marina nor Minge Cove have gas for sale, yet. Minge expect delivery on Thursday and WAM is re-building its gas dock, so they won't have gas for w couple of weeks.

[Slickcraft]

Out on Welch tonight, no ice in sight the past two days. I had yesterday morning in the contest, now if the northern part of the lake had only cooperated.

We walked to the south side of the island about 4pm but could not see where the plane crash site was. Good the pilot was able to make a 911 call or he probably would not have survived.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

I think about 20 of us chose April 23rd for ice-out. It will be all about the time of day!

[webmaster]

I think about 20 of us chose April 23rd for ice-out. It will be all about the time of day!If my quick count is correct, out of 513 entries there are 30 guesses of April 23rd and 28 for the 24th.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/contests/2014/

[robmac]

I picked the 23rd and just heard on radio that Emerson air felt today could be it if the stubborn ice in Center Harbor left

[webmaster]

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[Gatto Nero]

Big change in just the past two hours here on Black Cat. I've been watching the ice flow south since about 8:00 and now there is very little left around me.

[Sal]

There is NO ICE left on the fat part of the bay. It all disappeared last night.

[Steveo]

I have 1:29pm today Dave, time to take off, maybe wait another 30 minutes

[tis]

I just heard 5 minutes ago that ice out has been declared. That's all I know.

[DavidAE]

I have declared Ice out as of today April 23, 2014 at 2:10PM. The folks at State of NH Marine Patrol wanted me to remind folks that the water is still very cold and that if anyone finds themselves in the water that hypothermia can and will set in very quickly. Enjoy the season everyone!

[Fargo]

I just arrived home and the wind is howling, there's a 2-3ft chop by the GI bridge. If ice is out this is one week after Lilly Pond.

[SteveA]

This from the Emerson Aviation Facebook page.

9291

[Steveo]

I have 1:29pm today Dave, time to take off, maybe wait another 30 minutes

Ok I shouldn't have said wait 30 minutes and I would have been on the money.
Damn!:(

[NHgirl]

I was right on the time, just off 8 days. 1:29pm is close to 2:10, so there is a chance of you winning.

[Steveo]

I was right on the time, just off 8 days. 1:29pm is close to 2:10, so there is a chance of you winning.

Unfortunately not, I saw a 2:00pm guess.

Oh well at least it is out!

[ishoot308]

Here's the closest one I have seen...

April 23, 2014 2:15 pm
Matthew Piekarski

[gf2020]

I was up last Thursday and there was plenty of ice. Alton Bay was clear but Paugus Bay and the main lake were full of ice. Hard to believe it's all gone 6 days later.

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[webmaster]

The winners are posted here (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?p=223414).

[jeffk]

I calculated the mean ice out date from all the recorded occurrences and it is April 19/20.

So after all the nasty winter weather, all the almost 3 foot thick ice measured, and the late start to the thaw we are only about 3 days past the historical mean ice out date. The 3 days is almost statistically insignificant since 3 days is well within 1 standard deviation (+/- 9 days) of the mean. 66% of the data points fall within one standard deviation of the mean.

Weather has a funny way of evening itself out.

[upthesaukee]

I calculated the mean ice out date from all the recorded occurrences and it is April 19/20.

So after all the nasty winter weather, all the almost 3 foot thick ice measured, and the late start to the thaw we are only about 3 days past the historical mean ice out date. The 3 days is almost statistically insignificant since 3 days is well within 1 standard deviation (+/- 9 days) of the mean. 66% of the data points fall within one standard deviation of the mean.

Weather has a funny way of evening itself out.

I went to Bentley College in Boston, back in the day, and had to take Statistics 101. Can't remember a darn thing from the class, not even the Prof's name. I just remember his welcome the first day : "Welcome to Statistics 101. This is where you will learn how to tell your side of the lie!" :eek::laugh::rolleye2:

Seriously, love your data...and Mother Nature once again proves she pretty well knows what she is doing.

[upthesaukee]

Number of days thread was up : 24.

Views as of a few minutes ago: 38,205

Avg per day: 1592

Who cares about ice out???? a whole bunch of people!