Official 2013-14 Ice-In Thread

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by salty dog

Just curious. What is the recommenced ice thickness (if any) before a larger vehicle/4x4 should venture out on the lake?

Here's a few charts I found online:

[rdant]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Here's a few charts I found online:

None of the charts show airplanes!

I put my little Cessna 172 between the BMW and the Truck.

[Slickcraft]

On the news tonight mention was made of F&G warnings about some unsafe areas of the lake specifically noting an area near Welch Island. They also briefly showed an aerial photo that looked like the 2nd photo in post #183 which they attributed to the Civil Air Patrol.

They did note that many areas of the lake are safe with about a foot of ice.

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

On the news tonight mention was made of F&G warnings about some unsafe areas of the lake specifically noting an area near Welch Island. They also briefly showed an aerial photo that looked like the 2nd photo in post #183 which they attributed to the Civil Air Patrol.

They did note that many areas of the lake are safe with about a foot of ice.

Here is the full article that Slickcraft is talking about.

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department officials warn that this winter's uneven temperatures and high winds have affected ice formation, particularly on the state's larger lakes. Fish and Game is urging those heading out onto the ice to exercise caution as they do so. A large number of anglers are expected to head out onto the state's lakes and ponds this weekend to participate in the Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby (February 8-9, 2014).
A recent aerial survey of Lake Winnipesaukee by the N.H. Civil Air Patrol revealed treacherous ice conditions on some parts of the big lake, including an area of open water near Welch Island. Note the aerial photo at right of Lake Winnipesaukee ice conditions, taken on January 25, 2014.
"Caution is in order for those going out onto the ice, especially on the large lakes," said Fish and Game Lt. James Goss. "Don't let the cold temperatures fool you – some areas that have traditionally been safe for ice anglers and other outdoor recreationists are not safe this year. We are urging people to check the ice thickness for yourself before you go out onto any frozen waterbody."
Because of the unpredictable ice conditions, it is not advisable to drive vehicles onto the ice, Goss said. Those on foot should carefully assess ice safety before venturing out by using an ice chisel or auger to determine ice thickness and condition. Continue to do this as you get further out on to the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all over the waterbody.
Fisheries Biologist Don Miller notes, "Even though the winter of 2013-2014 has been cold so far, ice conditions on Lake Winnipesaukee are highly variable. One area of note where extreme caution should be exercised extends from Lakeshore Park in Gilford, east to Welch Island and across to Long Island, Moultonborough. The area extends south to Diamond and Rattlesnake islands and west to the Gilford shore line. This includes the vicinity commonly referred to as "the Broads." While caution should be exercised on the ice at all times, this area of Winnipesauke has seen very poor ice conditions consistently over the past few years. Extreme caution should be used in this area."
As shown in the aerial photo, even travel along the shore line south of Lakeshore Park is not recommended.
Though all ice is potentially dangerous, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., offers a "rule of thumb" on ice thickness: There should be a minimum of six inches of hard ice before individual foot travel, and eight to ten inches of hard ice for snow machine or All-Terrain Vehicle travel.
Keep in mind that thick ice does not always mean safe ice. It is possible for ice to be thick, but not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Weak ice is formed when warming trends break down ice, then the slushy surface re-freezes. Be especially careful of areas with current, such as inlets, outlets and spring holes, where the ice can be dangerously thin.

Tips for staying safe on the ice include:

• Stay off the ice along the shoreline if it is cracked or squishy. Don’t go on the ice during thaws.
• Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and ice may also indicate weak spots.
• Small bodies of water tend to freeze thicker. Rivers and lakes are more prone to wind, currents and wave action that weaken ice.
• Don’t gather in large groups or drive large vehicles onto the ice.
• If you do break through the ice, don’t panic. Move or swim back to where you fell in, where you
  know the ice was solid. Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. A set of ice picks can help you pull yourself out if you do fall through the ice; wear them around your neck or put them in an easily accessible pocket. Once out of the water, roll away from the hole until you reach solid ice.

Ice safety is also very important for snowmobilers. Don't assume a trail is safe just because it exists; ask about trail conditions at local snowmobile clubs or sporting goods shops before you go.

http://www.wildnh.com/Newsroom/2014/...ty_013014.html

[ishoot308]

The open water area between Welch and lake Shore Park looked like just a sliver this morning...a crack in the ice!

We have some warmer weather coming in for the next three days so I doubt we will see this area freeze until next week when the colder weather returns...

Dan

[phoenix]

always like this time of year when ice in and ice out discussions are happening at same time

[Timma]

Tentatively plannning on trekking across the Lake from Glendale to Welch in a couple of weeks with friends, assuming the ice is safe.

Any thoughts on whether than open water patch would be an issue (assuming it's still there)? We'd be going to the NW side of Welch so I'm thinking we can stay safely away from it. Maybe not though?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Timma

Tentatively plannning on trekking across the Lake from Glendale to Welch in a couple of weeks with friends, assuming the ice is safe.

Any thoughts on whether than open water patch would be an issue (assuming it's still there)? We'd be going to the NW side of Welch so I'm thinking we can stay safely away from it. Maybe not though?

You are all set! Plenty of ice on that side 14+" (please check for yourself). Not a single pressure ridge as of last weekend, flat as a pancake!

The open water / unsafe area is on the Southeast side facing Ellacoya just stay away from that area.

Enjoy your trek, I will be out there all weekend!

Dan

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Timma

Tentatively plannning on trekking across the Lake from Glendale to Welch in a couple of weeks with friends, assuming the ice is safe.

Any thoughts on whether than open water patch would be an issue (assuming it's still there)? We'd be going to the NW side of Welch so I'm thinking we can stay safely away from it. Maybe not though?

We walked over to NW Welch last Friday and as Dan said the ice is flat and firm. The last 1,000 feet of so was all snow covered as it blew off the center and settled near the island. However we were glad we had the microspikes on for most of the walk, lots of glare ice. That will of course all change with the forecast storms.

[FLAG!]

We ice fished the Wolfeboro area this past weekend. We had 13 inches of ice however a good 4 to 6 of that was grey ice. THough there were trucks in Wolfeboro Bay and South Wolfeboro Bay, I decided to stick to snowmobile access due to the lack of 10+ inches of black ice. I did see someone in a small passenger car drive from Wolf bay out to where we were. He stopped after passing us, backed up, turned around and went back towards wolfeboro Bay. I later talked to a Fish & Game Officer who told me he pulled him over as he was driving like an idiot and too fast within 150' of ice fishermen. He also chased down some sledders that came too close to our guys at high speed. I think he enjoys the chase. He didn't cite them, just verbal warning.

[CAVU]

Is the open water officially iced over?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by CAVU

Is the open water officially iced over?

Not as of this past Monday it certainly wasn't... I honestly do not think it will freeze over this year. Something has changed drastically in that area in the past couple years and not sure what it is. It is now an area that just will not freeze over... Plenty of ice everywhere else though!

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Not as of this past Monday it certainly wasn't... I honestly do not think it will freeze over this year. Something has changed drastically in that area in the past couple years and not sure what it is. It is now an area that just will not freeze over... Plenty of ice everywhere else though!

Interesting, my money is on some time of new spring that was opened during an earthquake. Definitely thick elsewhere, Where I live up in Moultonborough bay, a guy drilled a hole for me and nearly used whole auger before we broke through.. You could drive a tank over it..

[Blue Thunder]

This won't matter to most of you...maybe to Dave R and IG, but Sebago Lake has frozen completely for the first time since 2010. Numerous pressure ridges have formed in the areas that have been frozen for several weeks. Lots of good sledding but folks are being warned to stay away from the NW side of the lake near East Sebago and Naples which was the last area to freeze.

BT

[ishoot308]

As of this morning the "hot tub" open water area between Welch and Lakeshore Park looked completely frozen over to me. While I am certain whatever ice that has formed there is extremely thin and covered with snow, I could not see any gray areas or water cracks whatsoever.

In my opinion, "ice in" should be declared today...

Dan

[Slickcraft]

We skied at Gunstock yesterday and this morning. Looking from the summit yesterday we could see a patch of open water a little north of Diamond. It had shrunk a lot but still some blue. Today it looked like it all had skimmed over during the night. No open water in sight except for near docks with circulation pumps. I agree with Dan as to ice-in.

[webmaster]

Post by Emerson Aviation.