Ice Conditions

Weirs guy · 02-14-2008, 12:32 PM

I haven't been out since last weekend, but I think we all need to hope for a good freeze. I think this Sunday and Monday will raise heck with the slush, but it looks to be colder after that. If we don't get a good freeze we may need to drill extra ice holes to drain the water on top of the ice into the lake.

SteveA · 02-14-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

If we don't get a good freeze we may need to drill extra ice holes to drain the water on top of the ice into the lake.

You crack me up...

Be sure you drill at least two holes.. one for positive pressure and the other for negative pressure. That way your sure to drain any standing water off the ice. Another thing... try to have the Positive Pressure Hole above the Negative Pressure Hole.

Pricestavern · 02-14-2008, 03:05 PM

If there is a low pressure system in the area, don't you run the danger of having the water being sucked up ontop of the ice?

SteveA · 02-14-2008, 04:06 PM

I have NO idea what either low pressure or high pressure does to the lake level.. ( I bet RB2 or CLA do know..

) I made it all up...

I was just trying to joke around w/ WeirsGuy...

searay220 · 02-14-2008, 04:30 PM

This Sunday Alton Bay is having there festival. Any word on if the conditions of the ice that will prevent it from going on. I have been looking foward to the fly-in, radar runs,bed races ect for several weeks. Do you think it's still on?

trfour · 02-14-2008, 04:49 PM

Here ya go searay; http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...3497#post63497

codeman671 · 02-14-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by searay220

This Sunday Alton Bay is having there festival. Any word on if the conditions of the ice that will prevent it from going on. I have been looking foward to the fly-in, radar runs,bed races ect for several weeks. Do you think it's still on?

Another thread and the Ossippee Aviation web site are stating that the runway is closed so I would doubt highly on much of the on-ice activity.

KonaChick · 02-14-2008, 05:51 PM

Anyone?? Someone?? How are the ice conditions?? No one's answered yet.

SIKSUKR · 02-15-2008, 08:48 AM

I have not seen the conditions myself but the reports from the derby on Sunday having lots of water under the snow could not have changed for the better with all the rain of Tuesday's storm.

hilltopper · 02-15-2008, 09:14 AM

From what I've seen driving by Pemi, Wicwas, and Meredith Bay, the ice is still a slushy mess. Sorry, no first hand reports from the south side of the lake...

CanisLupusArctos · 02-15-2008, 09:35 AM

I have not been out on the ice since the last storm, but yesterday I got a good idea just by looking at it (and judging by what's on shore.)

There has been 31 inches of snow in the past 10 days, very little of which has melted. The last storm produced mostly freezing rain rather than regular rain (after 9 inches of snow). While some of this trickled down into the snowpack, several inches of it remained powder while another several inches of it was wet. The freezing rain created a 1/4-inch crust that water has not been able to penetrate easily.

Yesterday I noticed that the snowpack on the lake ice didn't budge, even when 30 mph NW winds blew. It held the same exact formation it's been in since it fell. This indicates the crust on top. I saw a few places where the weight of the crust caused a section of it to fall into the powder below, creating a white sink hole.

Sunday night and Monday, a rain storm is now forecast with temps in the 40s. This is not good at all since there is no way for liquid to be absorbed by the ground, and it will most likely make an even bigger mess of the lake ice. Although we're running out of places to put the snow, at least we can move it out of the way. Any rain we get from now until this snowpack melts will flow and pond wherever it wants... a much bigger problem. As I mentioned in postings on the weather thread, any rapid melting of the snowpack (by rain, or by warm weather) will only add more water to the situation.

We've had 5.73 inches of melted equivalent ("rain") since this month began, and almost all of it has fallen as snow or ice which means it's still there. Should our February snow melt quickly it would be like getting 5.73 inches of rain all at once. If the melt is caused by rain, add the new rainfall to the 5.73. That's just for the snow of the past 15 days.

For reference, the May 2006 floods produced 6.23 inches of rain over 5 days.

February began with 13 inches of snow already on the ground from before, which had turned to ice from previous rain saturation and compression by weight of new snow... so that bottom foot of our snowpack probably has the most water in it. And if that melted too...

Weirs guy · 02-15-2008, 12:54 PM

We also have to remember that if we put too many ice holes in to drain the water off the ice we could sink the ice all the way to the bottom of Winni. Then we'd have a real slush problem.

I would image that someone will plow as much of the bay as the can (maybe in an '07 Explorer...) and there will be some on ice activity. You know us country folk, someones gonna bet somebody they can get a truck out there with no problems. Good thing I don't have my plow anymore!

Weirs guy · 02-18-2008, 12:37 PM

We were out yesterday on Alton Bay (you know, never mind the ice at the bottom of my hill, we'll drive a half hour to check it!) for the Winter Carny and I was amazed how good the ice conditions were. I guess there was a little trouble Saturday with one car finding a slush hole, but we drove out with at least 20 other trucks/suv's/cars and there were no issues with slush, sinking or the like. There were also 2 helicopters and at least 1 plane landing and take off, so although we didn't measure the ice we were sure there was plenty. The ice was your typical winter windswept affair, some snow on top, some bare ice spots. Hopefully the rest of the lake holds up this well for the rest of the season!

Seeker · 02-18-2008, 09:46 PM

Lot's of rain today and tonight. Gonna be a toss up as to conditions until someone gets out there and rides.

FLAG! · 02-19-2008, 02:40 PM

I heard there was much more snowmobile traffic on the lake this Saturday than last. Must mean that slush layer is less of a problem. I would hope that the thaw/rain along with this week's projected more seasonable temps will make the ice very good for next weekend.

CanisLupusArctos · 02-19-2008, 03:15 PM

On the weathercam this morning there was a good deal of shiny sun glare on the ice for the first time in weeks. The mush has transformed into ice which is now more polished than it has been in a while, but there are still a few mushy spots.

FLAG! · 02-19-2008, 05:21 PM

looks pretty good if you ask me!

Webbsatwinni · 02-19-2008, 06:34 PM

We were out there today (around Rattlesnake) and the ice was very solid with minor slush. The issue was snow cover, there wasn't any. We tried to hit all the water to keep the sleds cool, but snow would have helped. We left around 1:30 and the snow was falling pretty hard (it was hard to see), that made it better, but more snow would help.

Everywhere we went, the ice was really solid.

02-14-2008, 12:32 PM	#1
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I haven't been out since last weekend, but I think we all need to hope for a good freeze. I think this Sunday and Monday will raise heck with the slush, but it looks to be colder after that. If we don't get a good freeze we may need to drill extra ice holes to drain the water on top of the ice into the lake. __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

02-14-2008, 03:05 PM	#3
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 389 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Drilling Holes If there is a low pressure system in the area, don't you run the danger of having the water being sucked up ontop of the ice?

02-14-2008, 04:06 PM	#4
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	I was only kidding... I have NO idea what either low pressure or high pressure does to the lake level.. ( I bet RB2 or CLA do know.. ) I made it all up... I was just trying to joke around w/ WeirsGuy... __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

02-14-2008, 04:30 PM	#5
searay220 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Reading Ma/ Alton NH Posts: 81 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Alton Bay Festivale This Sunday Alton Bay is having there festival. Any word on if the conditions of the ice that will prevent it from going on. I have been looking foward to the fly-in, radar runs,bed races ect for several weeks. Do you think it's still on?

02-14-2008, 04:49 PM	#6
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Here ya go searay; http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...3497#post63497 __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

02-14-2008, 05:51 PM	#8
KonaChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 518 Thanks: 19 Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts	Anyone?? Someone?? How are the ice conditions?? No one's answered yet.

02-15-2008, 08:48 AM	#9
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I have not seen the conditions myself but the reports from the derby on Sunday having lots of water under the snow could not have changed for the better with all the rain of Tuesday's storm. __________________ SIKSUKR

02-15-2008, 09:14 AM	#10
hilltopper Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 725 Thanks: 25 Thanked 107 Times in 68 Posts	From what I've seen driving by Pemi, Wicwas, and Meredith Bay, the ice is still a slushy mess. Sorry, no first hand reports from the south side of the lake...

02-15-2008, 09:35 AM	#11
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	I have not been out on the ice since the last storm, but yesterday I got a good idea just by looking at it (and judging by what's on shore.) There has been 31 inches of snow in the past 10 days, very little of which has melted. The last storm produced mostly freezing rain rather than regular rain (after 9 inches of snow). While some of this trickled down into the snowpack, several inches of it remained powder while another several inches of it was wet. The freezing rain created a 1/4-inch crust that water has not been able to penetrate easily. Yesterday I noticed that the snowpack on the lake ice didn't budge, even when 30 mph NW winds blew. It held the same exact formation it's been in since it fell. This indicates the crust on top. I saw a few places where the weight of the crust caused a section of it to fall into the powder below, creating a white sink hole. Sunday night and Monday, a rain storm is now forecast with temps in the 40s. This is not good at all since there is no way for liquid to be absorbed by the ground, and it will most likely make an even bigger mess of the lake ice. Although we're running out of places to put the snow, at least we can move it out of the way. Any rain we get from now until this snowpack melts will flow and pond wherever it wants... a much bigger problem. As I mentioned in postings on the weather thread, any rapid melting of the snowpack (by rain, or by warm weather) will only add more water to the situation. We've had 5.73 inches of melted equivalent ("rain") since this month began, and almost all of it has fallen as snow or ice which means it's still there. Should our February snow melt quickly it would be like getting 5.73 inches of rain all at once. If the melt is caused by rain, add the new rainfall to the 5.73. That's just for the snow of the past 15 days. For reference, the May 2006 floods produced 6.23 inches of rain over 5 days. February began with 13 inches of snow already on the ground from before, which had turned to ice from previous rain saturation and compression by weight of new snow... so that bottom foot of our snowpack probably has the most water in it. And if that melted too...

02-15-2008, 12:54 PM	#12
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	We also have to remember that if we put too many ice holes in to drain the water off the ice we could sink the ice all the way to the bottom of Winni. Then we'd have a real slush problem. I would image that someone will plow as much of the bay as the can (maybe in an '07 Explorer...) and there will be some on ice activity. You know us country folk, someones gonna bet somebody they can get a truck out there with no problems. Good thing I don't have my plow anymore! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

02-18-2008, 12:37 PM	#13
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	We were out yesterday on Alton Bay (you know, never mind the ice at the bottom of my hill, we'll drive a half hour to check it!) for the Winter Carny and I was amazed how good the ice conditions were. I guess there was a little trouble Saturday with one car finding a slush hole, but we drove out with at least 20 other trucks/suv's/cars and there were no issues with slush, sinking or the like. There were also 2 helicopters and at least 1 plane landing and take off, so although we didn't measure the ice we were sure there was plenty. The ice was your typical winter windswept affair, some snow on top, some bare ice spots. Hopefully the rest of the lake holds up this well for the rest of the season! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

02-18-2008, 09:46 PM	#14
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	Lot's of rain today and tonight. Gonna be a toss up as to conditions until someone gets out there and rides.

02-19-2008, 02:40 PM	#15
FLAG! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Upton, MA Posts: 112 Thanks: 44 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Ice I heard there was much more snowmobile traffic on the lake this Saturday than last. Must mean that slush layer is less of a problem. I would hope that the thaw/rain along with this week's projected more seasonable temps will make the ice very good for next weekend.

02-19-2008, 03:15 PM	#16
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	On the weathercam this morning there was a good deal of shiny sun glare on the ice for the first time in weeks. The mush has transformed into ice which is now more polished than it has been in a while, but there are still a few mushy spots.

02-19-2008, 05:21 PM	#17
FLAG! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Upton, MA Posts: 112 Thanks: 44 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	conditions looks pretty good if you ask me!

02-19-2008, 06:34 PM	#18
Webbsatwinni Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lebanon Ct and Rattlesnake Island Since 2007 Posts: 610 Thanks: 180 Thanked 137 Times in 72 Posts	We were out there today (around Rattlesnake) and the ice was very solid with minor slush. The issue was snow cover, there wasn't any. We tried to hit all the water to keep the sleds cool, but snow would have helped. We left around 1:30 and the snow was falling pretty hard (it was hard to see), that made it better, but more snow would help. Everywhere we went, the ice was really solid.

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