Ice-Out 2009

[Island Girl]

This is the Official Ice-Out 2009 thread. Its time to drive ourselves crazy over when the ice will be gone from our lakes.

The Ice Out Page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) is ready for your hourly (lol) viewing. If you have a webcam that you would like featured there just let me know in this thread or a private PM.

Please post any observations on lake conditions here so we can all get ready for the new boating season.

Enjoy!
IG

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

[Blue Thunder]

Thanks IG, you're the best!

BT

[Bear Island South]

where can we find dates of previous years?

[Island Girl]

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

[Merrymeeting]

I was wondering when this post would show. Thanks IG!!!

[Janet]

Doesn't Silver Sands Marina usually have a webcam? Haven't seen it yet.

[Island Girl]

Sinler Sands usually takes a picture once a day and posts it on their site. They have a great archive of the daily pics from the last few years. It makes a neat way to compare year to year. Here is the link: http://www.nhboat.com/Nhboat/Features/ice/ice_out_2008_ice.htm

IG

[island of barndoor]

I was just wondering if anyone had any web cams for the Barndoor Island Area

[Island Girl]

DRH has begun his daily picture of ice conditions from just west of Minge Cove, facing east toward Wolfeboro. You can see it here with the other webcams, www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm). You can see the progression http://echoShores.com/ice-out/2009/echoshores.htm.
Also added this year is the new Overlook Cam on Paugus Bay.. also on the Rattlesnake Cam Ice-Out page. We love new webcams, keep them coming..

To Island of Barndoor... set a cam up this summer... it is fairly easy to do!!!

IG :cool:

[Island Girl]

The lake temp is up to 36 degrees!!!! Last year it was not 36 degrees until April 1st. The temp at ice was 40 degrees... It's coming!!

IG

[LadyJane]

with the ice melting, I was just wondering how many of those bob houses do you think are on the bottom of the lake? How do people manage to get them off when things get slushy? I was up last week and saw a few folks taking them off the lake but it seems if people wait too much longer it could be a tough and risky task.

[MAXUM]

Judging by the way things are progressing think there is a very good chance the ice is gone 2 -3 weeks from now. That sure would be nice.

[Long Pine]

island of barndoor: check your PM

[hazelnut]

Judging by the way things are progressing think there is a very good chance the ice is gone 2 -3 weeks from now. That sure would be nice.

Wow cool... I guess I'll be on the Island sooner than I thought????? :)

[sum-r breeze]

Does any one know when Silver Sands starts their daily pictures of Saunders Bay? The ones posted from the last couple of years are awesome.

Thanks,
The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back:)

[codeman671]

Does any one know when Silver Sands starts their daily pictures of Saunders Bay? The ones posted from the last couple of years are awesome.

Thanks,
The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back:)

I'll check with Chris tomorrow, I have to talk to him anyhow.

[Dragonfly]

DRH
I always look forward to your pictures near Minge Cove, where I keep my boat. It finally looks like Spring is here. Thank you!

[marcucci]

This is a riot, I just said to my wife. It's time for my yearly visit to lake.cc to see how ice out is going. I feel like I never left, same people posting the same great info, and still the best place to visit for lake info.

Thanks everyone!

[dpg]

This is a riot, I just said to my wife. It's time for my yearly visit to lake.cc to see how ice out is going. I feel like I never left, same people posting the same great info, and still the best place to visit for lake info.

Thanks everyone!

I guess I'm missing something here. I believe Marcucci is refering to this site but what's "lake.cc"?

[JayDV]

www.lake.cc (http://www.lake.cc) is a mirror website to winni.com. I remember a message either posted on home page or sent by webmaster Don that in the event of slow performance due to high volume of users lake.cc was a good alternate path.
It seems to be live if Marcucci posted there and we see it here. Does that mean that all photos are on both sites as well?

[Blue Thunder]

I guess I'm missing something here. I believe Marcucci is refering to this site but what's "lake.cc"?

Scroll to the bottom of the Home Page

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/

BT

[webmaster]

www.lake.cc (http://www.lake.cc) is a mirror website to winni.com. I remember a message either posted on home page or sent by webmaster Don that in the event of slow performance due to high volume of users lake.cc was a good alternate path.
It seems to be live if Marcucci posted there and we see it here. Does that mean that all photos are on both sites as well?There is only one site. Lake.cc points to winnipesaukee.com. This was done just for convenience since many people have trouble spelling Winnipesaukee.

[eillac@dow]

Judging by the way things are progressing think there is a very good chance the ice is gone 2 -3 weeks from now. That sure would be nice.


Can we make it 4-5 weeks! This is my first year joining the ice out contest and I would at least like to come in fairly close! Come on April 29th!

[bilproject]

Judging by the water temps at the dam ( last 3 years spent 9 days at 36 degrees) we have about 11 more days till the water hits 40 degrees at the dam. Ice out occurs at 40 degrees. Forcast for next 10 days is warm. Two weeks to put away that snow machine and get the boat ready!

[Lakegeezer]

Judging by the water temps at the dam ( last 3 years spent 9 days at 36 degrees) we have about 11 more days till the water hits 40 degrees at the dam. Ice out occurs at 40 degrees. Forcast for next 10 days is warm. Two weeks to put away that snow machine and get the boat ready!The three week indicator near me has begun to show, so I'm thinking my guess of the 20'th will be a few days late. Saw five snomobiles on the lake today, some of them were enjoying a skim in open water along the shoreline.

[Resident 2B]

Although warm water certainly is a major factor, I believe the biggest factor is strong winds to go along with the warm water. Once the small areas around the shore and around rocks starts to open, the wind is what rips the ice apart.

Early next week is looking like it will be a bit on the windy side and it looks like it will also be windy from April 6th to April 10th.

It could be an early ice out.

R2B

[webmaster]

Those of you who guessed late April in the Ice-Out contest (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/contests/2009/) shouldn't give up hope. Just remember 2001. That year almost the entire lake was clear of ice by late April but a strong NW wind created a large ice mass that blocked Wolfeboro Harbor until May 2nd when the official Ice-Out was called. By that time the spring boating season was well underway but since the Mount could not reach all of its ports the official Ice-Out could not be declared.

Check our Ice-Out page (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/index.php?pageid=iceout) for past Ice-Out dates and many webcams where you can view the progress yourself.

Right now there is still plenty of ice. Here's a picture from yesterday. That's Eagle Island in the foreground:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/images/IceOut_1891-2.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14721)

[DRH]

DRH
I always look forward to your pictures near Minge Cove, where I keep my boat. It finally looks like Spring is here. Thank you!I'm planning to walk over to the upper parking lot at the marina this weekend and take a picture overlooking the slips. I'll post it here so all who have slips there can see the current ice conditions.

[KTO]

I saw Meredith Bay on the WMUR live cam this morning and there was an entire open strip of water. Looking promising! :)

I'd rather be wrong with my guess (Apr 20) so we can have an early ice out!!!

[Merrymeeting]

The extended forecast shows above freezing temperatures at night through next Tuesday. If accurate, the pace of ice melting will accelerate as we won't have the re-freeze at night and the melting will be around the clock for several days.

[Bear Island South]

Right now there is still plenty of ice. Here's a picture from yesterday. That's Eagle Island in the foreground:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/images/IceOut_1891-2.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14721)

Great Picture!
Our place is located upper right on Bear Island
Can we get an update of this photo every week:laugh:

[corollaman]

I have a feeling my April 11th guess will be right,or pretty darn close!

[webmaster]

Great Picture!
Our place is located upper right on Bear Island
Can we get an update of this photo every week:laugh:I should have added that the picture was taken by flyguy from Lakes Region Aerial Photography (http://www.lakesregionaerials.com). He's posted several recent aerials on PhotoPost (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost). I'm sure we'll get some more updates as Ice-Out approaches.

Here's another one of flyguy's pictures from 3/25/09:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/515/medium/IceOut_4512AsGF18.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=14726)

[Merrymeeting]

I should have added that the picture was taken by flyguy from Lakes Region Aerial Photography (http://www.lakesregionaerials.com).


Flyguy,

I'm sure I speak for many of the regulars on this site in thanking you for your frequent posts of our beloved area from the sky, especially during the change of seasons. It gives us grounded folk a different and interesting perspective.

btw, Merrymeeting is a lovely lake to photograph from above if you have the time. :D

[Blue Thunder]

OK you ice experts, does the darkness in the ice that shows up on the various webcams today really "mean" anything or is it just because it is black ice, not snow ice.

Blue Thunder

[boat_guy64]

There is some water on top of the ice on Meredith Bay and several places around the lake. I think that is what you see on the cams. The ice is still a foot thick at the edge of our bubblers and I saw seven sleds go all the way down Meredith Bay about an hour ago. They were throwing up lots of slush and water as they went by and I don't think that I'd be doing that. :eek:

[DRH]

These photos of Minge Cove Marina were taken this afternoon. The slips are still mostly iced in, but there is now open water at the entrance to the marina.

http://echoshores.com/Photos/MingeCoveMarina_032809.jpg


http://echoshores.com/Photos/MingeCoveMarina1_032809.jpg

[VtSteve]

We've not had much ice as usual over here on Champlain, excepting the bays of course. Looks like they're getting down to the final phase as well. Boats have been out fishing in front of our place for two weeks now.

[Blue Thunder]

I found this description of the ice out process while surfing the net. Some of it seems to make sense.

How Lake Ice Melts
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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!


BT

[Sunbeam lodge]

I found this description of the ice out process while surfing the net. Some of it seems to make sense.

How Lake Ice Melts
T1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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!


Great description. I can visually see it happening from my perch here in hot humid Florida. And I can remember that tinkling sound and seeing that sparkling blue lake. Can the black flies and mosquitoes be far behind. Time to get the flyrod out.

[Webbsatwinni]

Sitting here in CT looking at the webcams for my daily lake fix, it looks like the lake has taken on a weaker look than it did last week. Is this just wishful thinking, trick webcams or reality?

[AC2717]

Sitting here in CT looking at the webcams for my daily lake fix, it looks like the lake has taken on a weaker look than it did last week. Is this just wishful thinking, trick webcams or reality?

I would have to say reality, I was up this past weekend, and there were a lot of large cracks and no snow cover on the ice, also you could tell it was getting thin and breaking up, I would not be surprised that if the wind comes soon the ice will be moving out real quick.

One thing to note something I just really took notice of this weekend, despite all the times I head up there during the winter. The whole area just felt depressing with no green grass, no leaves on the trees, no flowers. Just everything about it screamed depressing, even hough Saturday was beautiful day. Also took note of how many store fronts were empty, not just closed for the winter, Memorial day will be interesting

[corollaman]

Paugus Bay is starting to turn grey, and I'm sure the lake is not far behind.

[DRH]

Sitting here in CT looking at the webcams for my daily lake fix, it looks like the lake has taken on a weaker look than it did last week. Is this just wishful thinking, trick webcams or reality?The surface of the lake is definitely much darker than it was last week. The rain we got on Friday night and again yesterday was a big factor in this. It's drizzling here this morning as well.

[fred williams]

wow cool... I guess i'll be on the island sooner than i thought????? :)

bark less and wag more little doggie official ice out will be april 18th at about noon.

[hazelnut]

bark less and wag more little doggie official ice out will be april 18th at about noon.

Hello Will welcome to the forum my man!!! I had originally put the 27th as my guess but now it's looking like that will be a bit late. I'm calling for the 20th now! I'll see you Island side in no time!

[chipj29]

Hello Will welcome to the forum my man!!! I had originally put the 27th as my guess but now it's looking like that will be a bit late. I'm calling for the 20th now! I'll see you Island side in no time!

I think my guess was the 20th as well. My local ice out indicator used to be 3 weeks. Last year, which was pretty warm in the weeks leading to ice out, it was 17 days. That indicator has just gone ice-free as of today, so I am going to revise my guess to Friday April 17. I know it doesn't count, except for bragging rights. :)

[bilproject]

Water temp over the dam has been 37 for 3 days now. Ice out has occured within 12 days of the temp hitting 37 at the dam each of the last three years. With highs in the 50's, no freezing nights and 5 days of rain (and 5 days of sun) over the next 10 it's hard to think the ice has a chance. Once water hits 40 degrees the ice is history. Time to get those salmon!

[Island Girl]

In 2007 the temp hit 37 on the 28th of March. Ice out was April 23rd that year. I am hoping it will be sooner this year!!

[DueSouth]

This will be the 22nd time I get to witness ice out thru my living room window - lucky me! Looks to me like it will be gone by the 17th - in time for the birthday boatride on the 20th:)

[meredith weekender]

In 2006 the lake temp was 37 degrees on the 28th of March and ice out was April 3rd. I prefer for ice out to be earlier than later. If you look at the weirs cam the ice is starting to look preety black and the ice Meredith was really retreating pretty well this past weekend.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

How is the Lilly Pond doing? Isn't that the usual two week indicator?

Ice-out occurred today on Silver Lake here in Hollis. Lake Winnipesaukee's ice-out the past few years has been two weeks after that.

We can't wait to get back to the lake!!!

[islander10]

I was at the lake on Friday and Lily Pond was frozen and white. The lake looked much darker.

[Pineedles]

As I understand it, salmon fishing is best 1 month after ice-out. Anyone want to confirm?:look:

[bilproject]

I believe most find it to be best from ice out till the water begins to warm to 50 at the surface. That is usually the first weeks of May. By June they are spawning and do not feed. I caught a few during the summer of good size. If you watch you will see some cheaters fishing by boat in Wolfboro and Alton on the cams. They will be right up against the edge of the receeding ice. Bet before the weekend you will see some small row boats on those cams fishing near the ice edge. Salmon are usually deep but will be at the surface or in the top 20 feet this time of the year looking for food. Lake trout will also be in shallow water for the same reason.

[Steveo]

In 2007 the temp hit 37 on the 28th of March. Ice out was April 23rd that year. I am hoping it will be sooner this year!!

In 2006 the lake temp was 37 degrees on the 28th of March and ice out was April 3rd. I prefer for ice out to be earlier than later. If you look at the weirs cam the ice is starting to look preety black and the ice Meredith was really retreating pretty well this past weekend.

The difference I feel was that in 2008 the ice was nearly 3 feet thick and this year the ice was about 1.5 feet. It will definitely go out earlier than the 23rd. I guessed the 21st, so the bad news is I won't win but the good news is that I bet I can open the camp the weekend of the 17th - can't wait!

[bilproject]

Little help from the wind one might be able to get out on a good part of the lake this weekend. Looks like the broads and meredith bay are about ready to give up

[webmaster]

Very dark ice on the Weirscam today:

[Blue Thunder]

Very dark ice on the Weirscam today:

It wouldn't suprise me if we are now talking in days instead of weeks.

BT

[Resident 2B]

I took a ride today from the Weirs to Melvin Village to look at the ice. It is looking to me like Meredith Bay will open up in a few days. The ice around Center Harbor and Black Cat Island is looking very gray and there are large areas of water around all rocks.

Looking at the ice out a bit from our dock, it is starting to show the 'candles' that is the last stage of the melting process. With the binoculars, it looks like the gray areas in Weirs Bay are from 'candles'. I'll be listening for the telltale 'bells' ringing tonight. If they can be heard, it will confirm the 'candles'.

I am thinking that unless something strange happens, like an 'ice pile up' blocking the Mount's route, we should see ice out between April 10th and 15th. I guessed the 25th, so I was way off this year.

Get the boats and fishing gear ready!

R2B

[KTO]

Get the boats and fishing gear ready!

I've been ready since last summer! :)

Up here in Plymouth we're finally getting rid of the snow. It's about time, because we've had it since the end of October-very early November. All that seems to be left are the huge snow piles that are now just snow bumps.

The Pemi river has also been free of ice for about a week and a half now.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope that we don't get one of those freak April nor'easters!

KTO

[hazelnut]

I've been ready since last summer! :)

Up here in Plymouth we're finally getting rid of the snow. It's about time, because we've had it since the end of October-very early November. All that seems to be left are the huge snow piles that are now just snow bumps.

The Pemi river has also been free of ice for about a week and a half now.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope that we don't get one of those freak April nor'easters!

KTO


You just HAD to say that didn't you!!??!?! :eek:

Well if one comes along I am blaming you! :laugh:

[19MileBaylover]

Thanks to all for taking the time to post updates on the lake. Like others, we're anxious to get to our corner of the lake, and it sounds like it will be sooner rather than later. And after this long winter, we're ready for, hopefully, a loong spring.
If someone is driving by 19 mile bay, hope you'll take the time to post its condition.

[Lakesrider]

bilproject....Your are awesome man! Excellent call on the ice line fishermen. There were boats in Wolfeboro today. I thought of you and took this pic.
You must have ESP!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/boats2.jpg?t=1238619462

[bilproject]

At least they are fishing in Alton and Wolfboro. My salmon are safe for a few more days between Brown's and Bear Island. Hope Dave at Y Landing has my boat ready!!!

[Lakesrider]

I drive by 19 mile everyday. The docks are opening up quite a bit and I noticed this morning coming in to Wolfeboro that the inlet from the wetlands on the other side of the road was opened up twice as much as it was when i went home last night. So it must be getting real thin. It was very dark gray ice yesterday as well. Little Ducky's were floating around in there this morning...:D

I'll stop and take a couple of cell phone pics on my way home today if it isn't raining...

[gtxrider]

See Al Gore is correct the ICE CAP is melting! I guess the ice will be gone by the time of my first trip to the lake in June.

[Grant]

No Silver Sands cam this year -- I'm disappointed. That was always a great one for tracking the ice-out progress. Seeing as it's now 4/2 and it still ain't up, I'd venture a guess and say it's not coming.

Checking the progress on Ossipee's Broad Bay, you can see how quickly everything is melting. Big holes over the past few days, and apparently a large expanse of open water to the left of the Canoeking webcam's view.

Anyone with a digicam or phone passing by 20 Mile Bay any time soon?

[Blue Thunder]

Does any one know when Silver Sands starts their daily pictures of Saunders Bay? The ones posted from the last couple of years are awesome.

Thanks,
The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back:)

Hey Grant...ask and you shall receive!!! I just heard from Barry Uicker at Silver Sands. The 2009 view of Saunders Bay is up and running. He apologizes for the delay this year.
I would like to publicly thank him for his efforts!!

http://www.nhboat.com/Nhboat/Features/ice/ice_out_2009_ice.htm

Blue Thunder

[hazelnut]

Hey Grant...ask and you shall receive!!! I just heard from Barry Uicker at Silver Sands. The 2009 view of Saunders Bay is up and running. He apologizes for the delay this year.
I would like to publicly thank him for his efforts!!

http://www.nhboat.com/Nhboat/Features/ice/ice_out_2009_ice.htm

Blue Thunder

YAHOO! Thanks to Barry. I was just wondering this morning where that cam was this year. I love that page!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Hey Grant...ask and you shall receive!!! I just heard from Barry Uicker at Silver Sands. The 2009 view of Saunders Bay is up and running. He apologizes for the delay this year.
I would like to publicly thank him for his efforts!!

http://www.nhboat.com/Nhboat/Features/ice/ice_out_2009_ice.htm

Blue Thunder

I too would like to extend many thanks to Barry Uicker at Silver Sands! The comparison shots of March 31st over the years is just great!

[Grant]

Ah -- how cool. Many thanks for the heads up. And thanks to Barry.

Love that view.

[Webbsatwinni]

Thanks for taking the time to get this up and running, it is great to compare each day with prior years while we are wishing the ice away.

[tricia1218]

I looked forward to this every year, and had been checking the site everyday.
Thanks!

[Lakesrider]

Quick pics off the 19 mile bay docks. Once again, sorry it was with my cell phone. These were taken at around 3:30pm on Thursday.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/19milebay.jpg?t=1238764779

Looking over to the beach, you can see the inlet (Just barely) is starting to extend out...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/19bay2.jpg?t=1238764854

[farechofisherman]

bilproject; good post about ice out fishing. actually the salmon fishing stays strong right through the summer, you just have to go deeper as the surface water warms. the salmon like mid 50's temp wise. for the first few weeks after ice out they (and lakers) will be at the surface chasing the smelt. the smelt are the ones getting ready to spawn, atlantic salmon spawn in the fall. but the landlocked on winni really do not spawn in the lake although their bodies do all the biological things towards a spawning run in the fall. it is wise to troll with larger baits in the spring (to match adult spawning smelt) and as the water warms, late june july and august, go to shorter baits which match the yoy smelt (young of the year) that have just been born from the sring spawn. i am not a biologist or science guy, but i've caught hundreds of salmon following these tendecies. good luck to and tight lines.

[Never Satisfied]

That is funny, I e-mailed Barry yesterday too. He must have gotten a milion e-mails... Thanks again Barry!!!

[Grant]

bilproject; good post about ice out fishing. actually the salmon fishing stays strong right through the summer, you just have to go deeper as the surface water warms. the salmon like mid 50's temp wise. for the first few weeks after ice out they (and lakers) will be at the surface chasing the smelt. the smelt are the ones getting ready to spawn, atlantic salmon spawn in the fall. but the landlocked on winni really do not spawn in the lake although their bodies do all the biological things towards a spawning run in the fall. it is wise to troll with larger baits in the spring (to match adult spawning smelt) and as the water warms, late june july and august, go to shorter baits which match the yoy smelt (young of the year) that have just been born from the sring spawn. i am not a biologist or science guy, but i've caught hundreds of salmon following these tendecies. good luck to and tight lines.

Thanks -- good stuff. Can't wait to wet the lines in a few weeks.

[Islander2]

Thanks, Lakesrider. Phone pictures or not, they look great from here. Sure looks like 19 Mile Bay is opening up. Another week, maybe.

Let us know how it is progressing. Thanks.

[Island Girl]

The lake temperature hit 38 today... just two more degrees!!!!

IG

[Lakesrider]

Drove down to Lowes via Paugus Bay way. The ice was extremely dark gray. At first I thought it was open water. But the Channel is open down to in front of the Four Seasons Resort now.:D

[19MileBaylover]

:) Lakesrider, thanks for taking the time to take and send those pictures of 19 Mile Bay; wonderful to see.

[meredith weekender]

The ice in Meredith Bay is retreating. It seems as though we gained another 20' overnight alone. We have open water to about 160' from shore.:

[Island Girl]

Lily Pond is almost out... just several feet of ice on one edge....

IG

[DBA]

We are listening to a tinkling as one iceberg rubs against another! The NorthWest_View shows a river that has opened up around the center of the picture. The North_View shows the ice cubes rolling up on the icebers when they rub shoulders. It won't be long now!
DBA

[Resident 2B]

The ice in the Weirs/Meredith Bay area was as dark gray as it gets. I did not see any movement this morning, but it looks like it only has a few days left, at the most.

R2B

[meredith weekender]

The ice really moved today in Meredith Bay. There appears to be alot of standing puddles on the bay which are really holes in the ice. With the high wind gusts tonight, the ice wil be moving alot more.

[michael c]

reading the weather forcasts for the next few days ,it would not surprise me if the ice went out one day this week. I don't see it happening before wednesday ,but I'll be surprised if its still covered on the week end!
Of course I have only been watching the ice out for 58 years now so I might be off a little bit!
Ice on Paugus,Weirs Meredith bay and center harbor is BLACK...you can almost count the hours now ...just pray for a good strong wind mid week and it will be gone .......
If I was younger [a lot younger ] I would be water skiing right now from the 1/3 of paugus that is open ,through the channel and over to the dock for the mount ..used to do that back in the late 50's and 60's

Soon ,very soon .Might not be for another week but SOON !

[Never Satisfied]

I was up at the lake yesterday and saw a good sized crack going all the way across paugus bay. It is breaking up!!

[Steveo]

2452

Am I seeing things or is that open water I see in the Broads

[Little Bear]

This morning, there is open water between Ames Farm, west end of Diamond Island and Welch Island. Wind is blowing hard, which will chew up more ice. If this keeps up, ice out won't be much longer.

[bab1234]

From my vantage point up here in gunstock acres, a large hole has opened in the ice at least a mile + across. Can't see it on anyones cams its going!

At this rate it will be gone by next weekend.

[Lakesrider]

When I guessed by the 15th I was being optomistic at best. Now I think my guess will be late by a few days. If you guessed after the 15th I think you'll lose, Like me! :emb:

As I drove through 19 mile bay, the inlet and the open water by the docks have connected and it looks really thin. But the wind comes into the docks from the west so the ice will most likely pile up in there for a while longer. I'll take another pic on my way home today. I brought a good camera this time....:rolleye2:

Agreed. The wind of yesterday and today will do some damage to the ice...
I just hope no big flows come strolling into town and wreck my docks.:eek:

[Merrymeeting]

reading the weather forcasts for the next few days ,it would not surprise me if the ice went out one day this week. I don't see it happening before wednesday

Preferably Wed at 11:38! :D But with the wind, rain, and temps in the forecast for the next several days, I'm not sure it's going to last that long.

[bab1234]

Just got ack from walking the dog, the hole is miles across. Big slabs of ice moving accross the opening, this wind is going to help. Heading out for brunch, when I get back I'll post some pics.

[Alton Bay]

Hmm...April 9th is looking pretty good to me.
I forget what the prize is??

[bab1234]

Picture off the deck, Rattlesnake is off to the right

[bab1234]

Welch is in the center of photo. BIG WATER opening up.. Pretty cool watching large areas open up every 30 mins..

[Blue Thunder]

DRH,

Your chronological pictures today are really cool!!

Blue Thunder

[farechofisherman]

hey bab1234; those are really terrific shots of the lake, what a great viewpoint you have!!! any future pictures over the next few days would be awesome, i'm in new york and itching to get up to put dock and boat in. thanks

[bab1234]

Thanks on the view and pictures, I do have a million dollar view. to bad I had to raise the foundation a bit to get a little better view.

[DRH]

DRH,

Your chronological pictures today are really cool!!

Blue ThunderThanks, BT - Glad you are enjoying them. It's really fascinating to watch the changes take place right in front of us.

[bab1234]

Thanks on the comments, thought I'd post a picture of the house, raised the foundation a bit to open up the view. Million dollar view, has all the comforts one could need.

[Slickcraft]

Photos taken 12:30 today at Belknap Point, not a perfect stitch of the photos but you get the idea. No ice out to Welch except the wind blown white ice on shore.

There is windblown white ice visible to the south east heading for Wolfeboro Bay.

[bab1234]

Another of welch in the center you can see large ice flows moving, second is the backside of rattlesnake. Don't think I can post more during the week up before the sun get home after its gone.

I'd hookup one of them dar fancy picture taking things except we gots no internet up here on the mountain.

Enjoy..

[bab1234]

Man the wind's rippin opened the door almost tore poor old toto the dog outta the trailer.

This was all covered with ice @ 6:30am.

[KTO]

To everyone on the southern part of the lake...Thank you for sending us your ice in Meredith/Center Harbor... :P

I took a few pictures yesterday of the ice at the Meredith/Center Harbor line looking out.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4544/n6412633471580107700415.jpg
(Not visible, but Center Harbor would be on the left and Black Cat Island would be on the right of the frame)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1787/n6412633471580119453595.jpg
(Not visible, but Patrician Shores/Sands of Brookhurst would be on the right)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4388/n6412633471580121223220.jpg

ICE OUT...PLEASE!

[chaseisland]

Should be in a boat next weekend.

[Lakesrider]

Well, I was going to post pics of 19 mile bay, but ya beat me to it. so here is Wolfeboro. It was clear in the docks yesterday but ice has blown in a bit.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/DSC_0066.jpg?t=1238964163


19 mile just for the heck of it.....

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/midgetmgb/19mb.jpg?t=1238964223

[bab1234]

Pictures welch island in the middle over looking the broads then looking over dimond. WON"T BE LONG, get your boats ready.

[Pineedles]

This is exciting. I don't remember an Ice-Out with so many pictures from the non-traditional cams being contributed. Hope it is really happening, and it won't re-freeze.

[bab1234]

Outside temp is 44 lake temp @ 38 looks like we'll be boating next weekend. :):):):):):):)

[bab1234]

I should have 2 cams online one looking twards gunstock, the other over the broads very high vantage point. According to the gps 945 ft above the lake, OH add another 50 feet since I raised the house..

[Island Girl]

It has been a great ice-out watch with all the contributions... several new webcams this year, DRH's daily and today hourly pictures and commentary, and all the others ... it has been an exciting day!

I will get the usual funny looks when someone asks me what I did this weekend and the answer is, "I watched the ice melt".

Only you people know that it is not insane... it is what we do!!! How nice to be boating early this year... woo hoo!!!!!!

Thanks again to all you cam operators and picture takers!

IG

[hazelnut]

It has been a great ice-out watch with all the contributions... several new webcams this year, DRH's daily and today hourly pictures and commentary, and all the others ... it has been an exciting day!

I will get the usual funny looks when someone asks me what I did this weekend and the answer is, "I watched the ice melt".

Only you people know that it is not insane... it is what we do!!! How nice to be boating early this year... woo hoo!!!!!!

Thanks again to all you cam operators and picture takers!

IG

You took the words right out of my mouth! What a fun weekend for ice-out watchers! :D

[Island Girl]

How will we ever get any work done this week with all the ice melting we have to watch?

IG

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Here is a shot of The Broads From Roberts Cove today around 2:30pm.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Alton Bay was open from the bridge to the bandstand. There were several small boats out fishing.
This shot was taken from Route 11D today at about 2:50

[Bear Island South]

Thanks for all the great pics today, I pulled the boat out of storage today and gave a tune up and got her running, we are planning on heading up Friday to open up.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Woodman's Cove was pretty much open.
Minge Cove and Glidden Cove around 3:00 pm today.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Open water from Ames Farm over to Rattlesnake Island. You can see the ice just past Diamond. The ice is very dark ice from the scenic view on Route 11 in Alton.
After all the ice and snow this winter, an early boating season is just the ticket. :D

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Thank you very much Island Girl for the wonderful Ice-Out page that we all visit like junkies at this time of the year.
DRH, your progressive pictures with the West Alton Digi-cam are terrific!
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to share their great pictures from around the lake for Ice-Out 2009!
Looking forward to seeing everyone very soon on the lake! :D
RG

[Island Girl]

Thanks for the pics, RG. This is the first year in a while I am not on the island for ice out... so I live for all the pictures. See you out there!

IG

[Mee-n-Mac]

Some more words and pics to complement RGs and others. Sitting on the dock today you could see and hear the wind beat up the ice in Alton Bay. Unforetunately it (the ice) was running from Sandy Pt and towards our dock. We did OK but some neighbors lost a loose post or two. But first some pics from the Rt11 scenic overlook taken around 5:30 PM.

Looking out towards Barndoor ...
Looking down the bay ...
And Little Mark I ....

[Mee-n-Mac]

So looking across to Sandy Pt this was the scene. The looking down the bay towards the gazebo, you could see the ice closing up open water. Then Mee spotted this guy who crawled up on the ice to sun himself.

[Mee-n-Mac]

As others noted there was abundant open water off Ames Farm. Interestingly the Weirs was still pretty much iced in. Meredith Bay was the same way, mostly ice except along the shore and at the tip. Here's the open water with the ice just poking in on the right. Then looking up the bay with Church Landing on the right.

[Kings Bluff]

Ice out at the northern end of Alton Bay:)

www.winnipesaukeecam.com

[19MileBaylover]

Thanks to all for posting the pictures; it's fabulous being miles and miles away that we get these incredible up-to-dates. Keep 'em coming.
Lakesridegr and ChaseIsland, thanks again.:)

[rrr]

Thank you all for the great pictures! IG's right - it will be very hard to get any work done this week!

[j0hnb]

Watch the last 10 frames animated at:
http://winnipesaukeecam.com/DynamicVideo2.php

I'll try to post a video later today.

I can't wait till I can make it up there this summer.

[nj2nh]

Oh, I love this!!!!!!!!!! This view is only just down the bay from my view. I loved the longer video last year. Are you going to do it again?

nj2nh
(on Echo Point in August)

[nj2nh]

Hey, Meet N Mac, I think I can see our house in the second picture looking down Alton Bay. Is that Echo Point in the background? Keep those pictures coming!

nj2nh
(sadly forced to enjoy the ice out from Jersey)

[EricP]

It has been a great ice-out watch with all the contributions... several new webcams this year, DRH's daily and today hourly pictures and commentary, and all the others ... it has been an exciting day!

I will get the usual funny looks when someone asks me what I did this weekend and the answer is, "I watched the ice melt".

Only you people know that it is not insane... it is what we do!!! How nice to be boating early this year... woo hoo!!!!!!

Thanks again to all you cam operators and picture takers!

IG

Beats watching paint dry! LOL

[Blue Thunder]

Thanks for the pics, RG. This is the first year in a while I am not on the island for ice out... so I live for all the pictures. See you out there!

IG

Wow, that was fast. The ice is gone on the Snakes Eyes camera. I just looked at it an hour ago!!

BT

[JMR]

Absolutely amazing transformation. Looking forward to the video! Very hard to work. Boats in soon?

[meredith weekender]

Its time to turn up the temp of the lake heater. Ice out is taking too long and I want to go for a boat ride. :):)

[Merrymeeting]

It's going to be interesting for a few days now. If we were going to have a warm, strong-sunny day, I think it would be over in hours. But the forecast now shows nights well below freezing for the next week or so. If ice-out doesn't happen in the next few days, we could be in a holding pattern for awhile. I know the water temps will continue to cause the ice to melt. But I also expect we'll see the top skimming over on several mornings.

[hazelnut]

It's getting more and more difficult to even find the cams that still show ice! :D

I'm thinking that the ice will be out by Sunday?

That blows my original guess of the 27th and subsequent admissions that the 20th was more likely the date. I think I was way off!

[webmaster]

Today's Citizen Article (http://tinyurl.com/c9kntc)

[KTO]

Unfortunately, Ice Out is also Ice Drift season...RIP dock :(

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/787/n6412633471593236210434.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9012/002skm.jpg

[eillac@dow]

This is my first season of watching ice-out with you all. And let me tell you.....I know what you mean when you say it is addicting. It is amazing. If work ever finds out how much time I am spending on line....they will fire me and rightly so!

To all that contribute your comments, pics and cams....thank you very much. They are all great. I really do enjoy them.

Can I ask....are there any web cams by Long Island? Our place is on Dow Island which is directly across from the Long Island Bridge. If there is a cam available in that area or does anyone has any pics, I would love to see them. Anything available by Harilla Landing?

Again, thanks for letting me enjoy this years ice-out with you all. Much appreciated!

[AC2717]

This is my first season of watching ice-out with you all. And let me tell you.....I know what you mean when you say it is addicting. It is amazing. If work ever finds out how much time I am spending on line....they will fire me and rightly so!

To all that contribute your comments, pics and cams....thank you very much. They are all great. I really do enjoy them.

Can I ask....are there any web cams by Long Island? Our place is on Dow Island which is directly across from the Long Island Bridge. If there is a cam available in that area or does anyone has any pics, I would love to see them. Anything available by Harilla Landing?

Again, thanks for letting me enjoy this years ice-out with you all. Much appreciated!

Not to start the puns, but I would be in the same boat as you!

[webmaster]

Today's Citizen Article (http://tinyurl.com/acp3xn)

[sum-r breeze]

As others noted there was abundant open water off Ames Farm. Interestingly the Weirs was still pretty much iced in. Meredith Bay was the same way, mostly ice except along the shore and at the tip. Here's the open water with the ice just poking in on the right. Then looking up the bay with Church Landing on the right.

If you can turn your eyes away from what's left of the ice sheet floating in Meredith Bay, it almost looks like a June afternoon. What beautiful blue sky and great sunshine! They are unwrapping The Breeze a week from this Friday and we'll be waxing Sat,Sun and Mon. I really miss it. I don't care if it's 50 degrees as long as the sun's out and the buffer still works. You won't be able to get the smile off of my face with a hammer and chisel!

The Breeze
Wav 'cuz I'll be wavin' back :)

[Argie's Wife]

Not to start the puns, but I would be in the same boat as you!

Thought you'd float one by us, didn't 'cha? :D

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Can anyone report on the mouth of Alton Bay and the south end of Rattlesnake Island? Brookwoods FrontLawn Cam in Chestnut Cove isn’t the clearest view.
DRH’s Echo Shores Ice-Out Watch doesn’t appear to be showing ice to the end of the island any more.
We have arranged to have the boat ready for Saturday and now I'm sweating it.
Thanks!
RG

[Jonas Pilot]

as of yesterday morning at 10:00 or so. From what I could see driving by on Rte. 11. It looked to be about a half miles worth of ice around at Sandy Point.

[Whimsey]

RG, the south side of Rattlesnake facing the Woodlands/West Alton looks clear from my vantage at Rum Point. There seems to be some ice on the Wolfeboro side, stretching down towards Wolfeboro. Yesterday there still was a fair amount of ice from the mouth of the Alton Bay down to near Sandy Point. But it was very dark and just about ready to go. If I get down there later today, I'll post an update.

[Gatto Nero]

Looks like its still pretty socked in between Black Cat and 3 Mile (http://www.blackcatcam.com/)

[Gatto Nero]

Unfortunately, Ice Out is also Ice Drift season...RIP dock :(

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/787/n6412633471593236210434.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9012/002skm.jpg

Hey, I think that used to me my dock!

[Grant]

Think that's a current image? Ice looks much lighter and far more intact than any other area. Could that be a week-old shot?

[Gatto Nero]

Think that's a current image? Ice looks much lighter and far more intact than any other area. Could that be a week-old shot?

It's current. It's my cam and I'm looking at the live shot as I write this. It takes a new shot every minute. I just changed the angle to look towards the Beaver Islands. They are socked in too.

[JMR]

No pictures from the pilot, yet this year? Looking forward to some aerials.

Island Girl, where is your camera/camp located on the broad side of Rattlesnake?

[Grant]

It's current. It's my cam and I'm looking at the live shot as I write this. It takes a new shot every minute. I just changed the angle to look towards the Beaver Islands. They are socked in too.

Duh...I replied without looking at your username/avatar...and I knew you were the one who ran that cam.

Very interesting to see how intact the ice is there. Thanks for the alternate view.

[MikeF-NH]

This thread (and site) have been simply awesome for giving me updates to the ice out conditions on Winni. However, I am planning to head up on Sat and the webcams show me exactly where to go and not to go but one area I can't see is 19 mile bay...anyone have any updates for the ice out conditions on 19 mile bay, chases island, out to Cow Island (the Chases point side of Cow)?

[Pineedles]

Check post #108. Chaseisland posted a couple of pics dated 4/5, maybe you could PM them and ask for an update?

[MikeF-NH]

thanks Pineneedles....I saw that post but a lot changed in the last 4 days so I was hoping for an update. I could PM but I thought someone would post pics for everyone viewing the thread.

[Flyfisha]

Can I get from Minge Cove to the Sleeper side of Rattlesnake on Saturday?? I'm dying to open up and get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Webbsatwinni]

Can I get from Minge Cove to the Sleeper side of Rattlesnake on Saturday?? I'm dying to open up and get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do, can you report back? We are planning a trip from West Alton to Rattlesnake next Thursday and we are just curious about the "off cam" conditions.

Thanks to all that have provided views into the conditions, I can't get enough.

[Blue Thunder]

Over 16,000 views of the thread in just 24 days. It never ceases to amaze me...

BT

[MAXUM]

16,000 views the state has not yet figured out how to tax yet :emb:

[MikeF-NH]

I had a buddy drive from Alton up to 19 mile yesterday then back down to Alton and up to Mt Major overlook and here is what he reported:
-19 mile to Cow is locked up pretty good...probably another week
-Wolfboro wants to free up but the ice is just blowing back and forth...several more days
-there is ice piled up along most eastern shorelines which some floating/drifting ice in other "open areas"
-pretty much everything north of Sandy Point in Alton Bay out to Welches is open but I would be cautious of floating ice coming down from areas above Bear that will probably break off and come floating down in the coming days.

I would say your are very safe coming for Minge to Sleepers. I will be spending all morning in the area from Black Point all the way up to Welches tomorrow. Good luck

PS: Does Minge Cove has a public ramp? I'm guessing not...

[IslanderRS]

Made a trip out to rattlesnake yesterday via minge cove. No ice as far as I could see once outside of the small cove inside minge. Once we returned to minge a few hours later the ice was already gone. Here are a few pictures; one leaving minge, one returning and two from the south side of rattlesnake facing gunstock (which had some snow still!!)

[webmaster]

Over 16,000 views of the thread in just 24 days. It never ceases to amaze me...Just a reminder that it really should say "Viewers". The forum software only counts each of you once even if you visit the thread many times.

For those of you who love stats I've just installed a new feature. Click "Quick Links" (must be logged in), go to the bottom of the list and click Site Statistics. Use the links to view all kinds of general info about the visitors to this site and how they got here. Click here (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/psistats.php?do=regions) (again, must be logged in) for the countries that have visited in the last week or so. Could all that be interest in Ice-Out? We're doing well in China!

[JMR]

Thanks to all who have posted pics and reports about the ice. Having only been on the lake for 2 years, I now have a springtime addition to following the progress of the Ice Out. Can't wait to get back to Rattlesnake next week when the boat goes in!

[IrishEyes]

I'm going out on a limb here and declaring ice out will be today! If not today, by the end of the weekend. Yesterday I walked along the lake in Meredith and there was no ice as far as the eye could see. With the 60 degree weather today and high winds, whatever ice remains will be gone very soon.

[Rose]

Hey, who left without me?

[wifi]

.... for the countries that have visited in the last week or so..... We're doing well in China!

If you are seeing anything like I do, its all DOS out of Asia :eek:

[NHDOLFAN]

I have the same exact boat. I better go and make sure that mine is still at the marina:laugh:

[jlongchamps]

We are really getting anxious... thanks so much for the updates!:)

[Lakegeezer]

Moultonborough Bay is clearning out nicely, but there are still big sheets of gray ice clogging the northern mouth of the bay and up the narrows towards Lees mills. The northern wind today has been pushing the ice sheets against the ice, but rocks and islands have slowed the movement. If the wind shifts, it will break up a bunch. I'm thinking another day or two before its totally clear.
6:45 update: The mouth and most of m'boro bay appear clear. Ice to the north still blocked, but much smaller volume. Dock in predicted for Sunday. Saturday is a Wildcat ski day.

[DRH]

Can I get from Minge Cove to the Sleeper side of Rattlesnake on Saturday?? I'm dying to open up and get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Minge Cove is clear. From our vantage point on Echo Shores (just west of Minge Cove) it looks like the eastern end of the south side of Rattlesnake is clear. We can't see the western end of Rattlesnake, though.

[KTO]

I've been watching the Black Cat Weather Cam all day, and that ice has made significant progress since this morning. Actually, the past hour has taken a pretty large toll on the large chunk of ice. Hopefully by this evening, that camera will be clear of visible ice! :)

[wifi]

Moultonboro Bay is still blocked in the middle, around the Gansy Lane area. Last night, on my way to Wolfeboro for memorial services, 19 and 20 mile bays were still clogged with floating ice debris.

Still have to wait some, IMHO :)

[Flyfisha]

Thanks for all the replies about Minge and Rattlesnake. I'm headed for the island first thing in the morning!!!!!!!!!!

[Eagle's Nest]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the updates on the ice out progress everyone! It's great! We were considering heading out from Smith Cove to Bear Island and I see nothing posted on this area. Has anyone been out that way and can confirm clear water? What do you think?
Eagle's Nest

[Bear Island South]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the updates on the ice out progress everyone! It's great! We were considering heading out from Smith Cove to Bear Island and I see nothing posted on this area. Has anyone been out that way and can confirm clear water? What do you think?
Eagle's Nest

we are on Bear Island tonight, came in fro Shep Brown's today at 11am, ice free from sheps to south side of Bear, still some ice from southern tip of bear over to Mink and Mark Isalnds, I would guess it will be gone by tomorrow.

[Bear Island South]

I'm going out on a limb here and declaring ice out will be today! If not today, by the end of the weekend. Yesterday I walked along the lake in Meredith and there was no ice as far as the eye could see. With the 60 degree weather today and high winds, whatever ice remains will be gone very soon.

ice still in Meredith Bay as of 6PM today, very black though, I would say its gone by tomorrow

[Eagle's Nest]

Thanks for the update on Bear Island. Have a great weekend!
EN

[Slickcraft]

We spent a comfortable night on Welch Island with the wood stove going. No damage to breakwater or main dock, seasonal dock is down and the flag has been raised.

We saw a few fishermen out early this morning and last evening a couple cruised by and waved. Other than that the lake was quiet.

We went slow out and back on the lookout for floating debris but saw none.

[Sully]

Would someone explain to me why ice out has yet to be called? I'm a newcomer to the lake. This will be my eighth season. Where is the Mount unable to pass?
From where I sit, the only ice I see is on the slopes of Gunstock!
Is Dave off today????

[hazelnut]

Would someone explain to me why ice out has yet to be called? I'm a newcomer to the lake. This will be my eighth season. Where is the Mount unable to pass?
From where I sit, the only ice I see is on the slopes of Gunstock!
Is Dave off today????

Perhaps things like this

[meredith weekender]

As of 3:00 p.m. this afternoon Meredith Bay still has ice. It is very black, lots of broken up sections. We need a good sunny day with some wind. Looks like it may be late Monday before the bay is open. You can travel the shoreline though to get to the Weirs.

[DeerHavenFlier]

The last of the ice has disappeared within the last hour southeast of the Long Island bridge, and the water is totally open from Long Island across to Moultonborough Neck.

[Merrymeeting]

There are a bunch of sailboats showing on the cams on Wolfeboro Bay right now. Looks like the Brewster sailing team is getting an early start! :)

[JMR]

Just returned from Rattlesnake Island went over from Goodhue & Hawkins. No ice in the Broads, no ice between Rattlesnake and Sleeper. I could see some ice had drifted/been blown toward the mouth of Alton Bay.

Also went to Rattlesanke Landing and no ice anywhere around. could see all the way to rattlesnake that no ice around.

Rattlesnake Landing dock has been put back into water and is usable.


Will try to figure out how to post the photos from the landing.

[JMR]

first attempt to upload todays photos

[Flyfisha]

Spent the day out on Rattlesnake--Ice came in from Alton around 3pm so headed to Minge Cove. Had a great day, opening up and cleaning around camp. Can't wait to spend the week of the 18th out there!!!! SALMON BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[meredith weekender]

As 0f 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning, Meredith Bay is almost 100% open. The wind last night really helped out.

[hazelnut]

WOW the wind is HOWLING on the lake. Check out the webcams.

Ice-Out today or tomorrow?

[EricP]

I believe it will go out today. When I woke up there was 2 large ice sheets in Hubbard Bay, a mere 1.5 hours later there is only one sheet left out by Pitchwood Island, otherwise the bay is clear. Sun is out and wind is helping. Maybe I need to fire up the SeaDoo today.

[Loony Singer]

Wind still coming from the north up there? For us at ice out time, north = dock probably OK; south = maybe not. :eek:

Thanks

[EricP]

Yes, wind seems to be out of the North, but there isn't much ice left to blow around anyway ;)

[Gatto Nero]

Wind still coming from the north up there? For us at ice out time, north = dock probably OK; south = maybe not. :eek:

Thanks

I'm not there but both Black Cat Cams indicate it is coming from the north.

[hazelnut]

I believe it will go out today. When I woke up there was 2 large ice sheets in Hubbard Bay, a mere 1.5 hours later there is only one sheet left out by Pitchwood Island, otherwise the bay is clear. Sun is out and wind is helping. Maybe I need to fire up the SeaDoo today.

I'm afraid that if you fired up the SeaDoo today you'd be an Ericicle before too long. :eek:

Hopefully I'll be opening camp next weekend, long term forecast calls for 60's at the end of next week. Perhaps you can fire it up then and visit.

[Whimsey]

The winds are fierce from the NNW. Lots of white caps. Yesterday afternoon's ice is gone, probably back to the mouth of Alton Bay.

[EricP]

I'm afraid that if you fired up the SeaDoo today you'd be an Ericicle before too long. :eek:

Hopefully I'll be opening camp next weekend, long term forecast calls for 60's at the end of next week. Perhaps you can fire it up then and visit.

I have been known to do crazy things! Check the date....;)

[hazelnut]

I have been known to do crazy things! Check the date....;)

:eek: WOW! :eek:

I knew you had a screw or two loose. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

That is Awesome. I think that is the same year I took the Whaler over to Cow Island in January. It was a late freeze that year. We had to chip about 1/4-1/2 of an inch of ice with an oar for about 100 yards to make it to shore.



So what are ya waiting for now? I'll be checking the Weirs Cam over the next few hours looking for ya! Watch out for ice bergs. :laugh:

[Bobdon99]

Great job with the photos. It's nice to see the process of the melting of the ice.

[MikeF-NH]

Ice out should be declared in the next day or two. I was out all day yesterday. There was floating ice "floatillas" in the Broads and up to 5 mile island. Most floating ice was on eastern and southern shorelines first thing in the morning but the wind coming out of the south moved that ice "into play" as the day went on.

We felt very safe coming out of West Alton Marina with the protection of Ragged and Sleepers island. Even as we saw floating ice moving in from Ship island, we said "no way that effects our return trip". Well, sure enough that ice all went like a magnet to the mouth of the inlet for west alton marina. Fortunately both us and another crew in a bigger boat behind us, could SQUEEZE around the ice.

There were a few broken sheets of ice around 6 mile but the only organized ice we saw was on the Moultonboro side of The Hole in the Wall and the northeast side of Little Bear. We didn't even try navigating it but it looked solid enough that we think it will be there until late this week (even after ice out is declared).

Water temps varied from 36.3 around Rattlesnake to 39.4 behind more protected areas to the north. I'm pretty sure we could have made it to Black Cat but we were fishing and running out of time so we explored less.

[EricP]

I am surprised it hasn't been called yet, maybe someone is napping from a large Ham dinner :laugh: and hasn't hit the skies yet today.

I was out on the SeaDoo and there's no ice up this way, and judging by the 2-3' chop I can't imaging there's any left anywhere except on the jacket I was wearing.

[meredith weekender]

The ice finally left Meredith Bay just before noon time today. On the way home we drove aroundthe lake and could not find any ice. We did see fresh snow falling though.

[Camp Madegracelyn]

Has anyone been down around Kenniston? Wondering if we can get through to our camp on Kenniston which faces Melody?? Looking at the Wolfecams and WCYC cam one would think it was clear but I was told thursday the ice still hadn't moved between Melody and Kenniston!! Hopefully the winds today helped. Need to place a web cam this season!

[twoplustwo]

Noon yesterday

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090413/GJNEWS02/704139901/-1/CITIZEN

I was off by a week.:)

[hazelnut]

Only a week huh? I was off by more than two :(

Oh well who knew it was going to go out as fast as it did. Talk about the perfect recipe for a quick melt. Dry sunny March followed by rain then high winds. Wow that was quick.