When does ice-in start? When are agitators needed?

[daveschappell]

We’re new to lakefront living. Wondering when we need to start thinking about ice and getting the agitator going. Early December?

[winterh]

It can vary but generally ice forms for good end of December into early January. Quiet coves freeze before wide open areas. I would recommend a thermostat for your bubbler. It won't be wasting electricity and running if we get a warm snap. Also understand that dock bubblers will not save your dock if the ice starts moving in the spring. I use 2 on my big permanent dock but I question the need every year. I guess they can't hurt. Previous owner was there for 40 years and never used one.

[webmaster]

Last year's Ice-In was declared by Emerson Aviation (https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news/local/ice-in-declared-on-monday/article_f9496424-184a-11e9-a8da-f78c0199786f.html) on January 14th although there was some skimming in late November and December because of the frigid November temps.

This thread from last year tracks the progress:

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24020

[tis]

Generally the broads are not solidly frozen until the third week of January.

[Lakegeezer]

The start time depends on where you are on the lake. In coves and northeastern areas, the freeze can come mid-December but it varies. It is important to keep the bubbler going when the new ice is thin. It can move and will move a dock with it if frozen to it. Once the ice is thick, running the bubbler a few hours a day is enough, and only when its below freezing, because the ice isn't moving laterally. In the spring, when the melt starts, you want the posts free from the ice so that the ice doesn't lift your dock up as the water level rises. Then, as winterh said, once the ice is on its way out, there is not much you can do but hope. One theory is that you should still keep bubbling to a minimum, so the ice can't get up momentum. Another theory is that you should bubble 24x7 around mid-April, so the open water is as large as possible. I've see both methods work and not work. Every year is an experiment.

[chaseisland]

Ice in started in September when I spilled my burbon on the rocks into the lake. Yes, I did cry over spilled burbon.

[Descant]

The nature of the OP leads me to think perhaps a new owner? Then the question is, how old is the dock, how constructed and what did the previous owner do? If you're off site for an extended time, there red services hat ill atch your property and take care of things after power loss, etc as needed, install and remove the bubblers. You can store them in the water under the dock. Note the new law that you cannot keep an area clear that prevents an abutter from accessing the ice from his property.

[CooperS7777]

I use 2 on my big permanent dock but I question the need every year. I guess they can't hurt. Previous owner was there for 40 years and never used one.

As Lakegeezer mentioned below, the circulators provide more protection from the ice heaving pilings and or posts posts as water levels change, and as the ice and associated weight build around the pilings and or posts.

In the spring, when the melt starts, you want the posts free from the ice so that the ice doesn't lift your dock up as the water level rises.

[barefootbay]

I think total ice in is going to become a rare event in the coming years .

[JADAQ]

I was placing my bobhouse on Alton Bay at noontime on December 31st this year.....8” of fishable ice!

[chipj29]

I think total ice in is going to become a rare event in the coming years .

What makes you think that?
And how would you define "the coming years"?

[LFODMatt]

This is kind of a related topic...

Is there some reason that the majority of island docks (nearly all without a breakwater) have retractable docks, and a majority of the mainland docks look to be permanent? Is it safety issue, is it that the mainland residences have their permanent docking system grandfathered, or something else entirely?

[barefootbay]

What makes you think that?
And how would you define "the coming years"?

I believe that it is a combination of the hundreds of agitators plus warmer winters that makes ice in increasingly tenuous.

[Descant]

Do the bubblers also extend the growing season for milfoil and other invasives? What's the impact on aquatic animals? Why don'tr I see crayfish and sunfish anymore? Horned pout also seem to have disappeared.

[Lakeboater]

I was placing my bobhouse on Alton Bay at noontime on December 31st this year.....8” of fishable ice!
How did you do that? It’s only November. LOL

[Dhamma]

Isn't "Ice in" or "Iced in" considered when the Mount cant sail to any of its ports?
"Ice in" doesnt actually mean that its safe to walk on, yet. Personally I'm scared stiff to walk on any frozen pond or lake. I dont care if its got 10ft thick ice. Some day its all going to let go and a lot of people are going to go swimmin. But I wont be one of them.

[garysanfran]

" Personally I'm scared stiff to walk on any frozen pond or lake. I dont care if its got 10ft thick ice"

This was near Stonedam...

When it's really cold and the ice is thick...The noise of the expansion cracks travelling up to several miles in a second is quite loud!

[Dhamma]

" Personally I'm scared stiff to walk on any frozen pond or lake. I dont care if its got 10ft thick ice"

This was near Stonedam...

When it's really cold and the ice is thick...The noise of the expansion cracks travelling up to several miles in a second is quite loud!

A couple of years ago we had a decent earthquake, but it happened in the summer. First time that I felt like I was living in a rubber house.
If it happens on a weekend in the winter, it will be a disaster.

[garysanfran]

A couple of years ago we had a decent earthquake, but it happened in the summer. First time that I felt like I was living in a rubber house.
If it happens on a weekend in the winter, it will be a disaster.

The noise from that earthquake is something I will never forget. It was like hearing the bowels of the earth regurgitate.

An earthquake like that in the east, would be very devastating. All those brick factory buildings?

San Fran had a few shakers while I was in The Lakes Region a couple months ago.

Returning, I found plaster damage and damage to exterior wooden siding that split at certain junctions of pressure. Not sure how much damage, because it is four stories high and will need scaffolding to get to. The openings are large enough to be a moisture concern in the rains.

[sum-r breeze]

Lily Pond was completely frozen over as of Friday 11/15

[rsmlp]

Do the bubblers also extend the growing season for milfoil and other invasives? What's the impact on aquatic animals? Why don'tr I see crayfish and sunfish anymore? Horned pout also seem to have disappeared.

Much more likely the prevalence of rockbass.

[Phantom]

Lily Pond was completely frozen over as of Friday 11/15

The slip area at MVYC had a skim coat of ice this weekend :)

[RUGMAN]

Is it to early to talk about the fishing Derby dates and pond Hockey dates.