Official Ice-Out 2014 Thread

[party.of.five]

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







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[Merrymeeting]

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

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by party.of.five

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

[riverat]

Originally Posted by party.of.five

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

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

[Webbsatwinni]

Darker and darker it grows!

[Fargo]

I just drove by Lilly Pond and the ice is out there. I'm thinking Winni will be out April 22 at noon.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Fargo

I just drove by Lilly Pond and the ice is out there. I'm thinking Winni will be out April 22 at noon.

I thought Lily Pond was a two week indicator??...

[Island Girl]

Nearly 6 inches in the last 6 days.

[Islander2]

Major change in ice on Echo Shores webcam today... really disappearing quickly!

[upthesaukee]

Ames Farm out towards Diamond, and a long way out.

Some open water along 11D below the scenic view.

Alton Bay out to Sandy Point.

Lake ice is changing fast, getting very black.

West Alton Marina, by the docks, is almost free of ice now. Woo Hoo...my May 1 in the water is looking great.

Lake level is holding just about a half inch below full lake.

[Island Girl]

It has been a fun day watching the cams at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

Places that were socked in this morning are nearly open. These few warm days have done a good job! I know there is still ice out there.. But it will be soon. It is time for making the camp opening lists.

I think we will have to get that boat washed and waxed soon.

Ah .. May this winter end.

[Merrymeeting]

Drove by Sunrise Lake again today. No sign of ice anywhere.

Merrymeeting is pretty much like Winni. Major change and movements of the ice today. Much darker, many areas open. It seems to be going fast.

[RetreatHouse]

Does anyone have pictures of ice conditions on Meredith bay Eastern shore along
area where Pleasant St. meets Wagon Wheel trail.

[Just Sold]

You know the lake is playing with us by only opening a portion and keeping the rest iced in.

[pcmc]

Better up dates here than the 5 o'clock news with a breaking story.
The humor with those anticipating the open water has been great. Now the boaters getting their quick fix is hilarious, doing what they have to, in order to float around on the lake where ever they can.

[sunsationdave]

Well the winds took out my dock today and many more along weirs blvd looking for a dock to rent docks will be repaired months from now if that. Thanks pbff For you offer to help. Most likely rent a dock for now I was watching the ice today wow it does some serious damage

[Sal]

Ice is receding from the shoreline and two (very large) loons appeared today,
swimming and diving. I hope they found some fat fish.

[Dad sold the C * C]

From the road Winnisquam looked ice free from the bridge south ( saw several boats) Got to the cabin about 8:30 AM yesterday; no ice up against the west shore. Looked like one large sheet of ice from Laconia north past Pot IS.

Once the wind picked up it really started moving south and melting. By 1 pm lots of open water south of Pot island in the wide section of the lake. It's really impressive watching these large sheets of ice move past each other .

[tis]

We saw a loon, a woodduck pair and some merganzers yesterday in the open water. It is coming!! I feel so sorry for those who are losing their docks. The heavy ice blowing around is going to make it hard on the docks this year I am afraid. Funny as we long timers said before, how mother nature makes up for things-suddenly warmer so we are not that far off from a normal ice out. It is so amazing. I just love watching the ice go out!!!
Oh, and we also saw the eagle.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by sunsationdave

Well the winds took out my dock today and many more along weirs blvd looking for a dock to rent docks will be repaired months from now if that. Thanks pbff For you offer to help. Most likely rent a dock for now I was watching the ice today wow it does some serious damage

Sorry to hear you confirm what I thought I saw yesterday.
Not sure about this season but last year they were renting out seasonal slips at Christmas Island Motel. I could try and find out some details if you want.

From the north end of Paugus it looks clear but that's not really the case. These pictures are from the Margate property and you can see lots of ice creeping on shore. Looks like the same places hurt last year are getting it again. Hopefully there's no wind in that cove today.
AC2717...so far you guys are fine, but you're living on the edge.

First 2 pictures are looking just to the east of the Margate going up Weirs Blvd. The third is The Margate docks. They already have damage and are in serious danger since the ice snapped a prop on one of the aerators overnight.
The last picture is looking south at the ice area. Yes, that beautiful dark spot is the returning loon. One end is heaven, the other not so nice.

[safe passage]

In the past two days the ice in and around Wolfeboro Bay has been getting darker and darker. As a result of shifting wind the ice in the Bay has been breaking up around the edges from Dockside all the way around to Sewall Point. It can't be long before the entire Bay is "punky" followed by open water. Temperatures are down in the 30's right now so this may retard the ice melt and some forecasts say it may snow. Not good news for those who want to see the ice leave the Bay sooner rather than later. We may not see 50 degrees during the daylight again until Saturday. Still, with the wind, longer days, higher sun, and some rain it is hard to believe that the official "Ice Out" can be more than 10 days to two weeks away. That would keep it comfortably in April, something few of the experts felt possible just a scant few days ago.

[Island Girl]

The image is poor but you can see ice in one image and waves in the next. Perhaps webbsatwinni can post a better view.

[Island Girl]

The rest of the lake still has lots of ice. But it is happening.

[ishoot308]

My dock / breakwater is taking a beating. If this wind doesn't let up, it won't be good as the ice being blown in gets thicker and thicker!

Hoping for the best...

Dan

[Island Girl]

Each cam has a different story. Thanks to all the webcam owners. This has been a tough time for the cams, so many are down. Island cams are so vulnerable because we cannot get to them to fix. This one shows the south end of the lake beginning to open up.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Do my eyes deceive me?!

Echo Shores

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Snake Eyes

[Webbsatwinni]

IG? Where did the ice go????

[salty dog]

Originally Posted by Webbsatwinni

IG? Where did the ice go????

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

[safe passage]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Do my eyes deceive me?!

Echo Shores

Nope, eyes are reliable. The view from Broadside Rd at end of Wolfeboro Neck reveals the ice is free from The Broads as far as the eyes can see. Would send pics but can't figure out how to do it.

[SteveA]

The Broads are clear from LSP to the other side of the lake and all the way to Diamond and Rattlesnake. Still ice right off Lincoln Park and in Smith Cove

[RLW]

safe passage, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Thanks for your input and hope to see you here quite often now that you have joined the forum crowd.

[robmac]

what a difference a day makes. it is new England though but who cares almost launch time

[Pine Island Guy]

it never ceases to amaze me about how quickly the ice goes out when it occurs... a week ago people were still predicting a record breaking mid-May ice-out, and i was hoping to be able to break through the ice to the island this weekend...

It should be an easy ride to the island, and unless all the ice piles up in a bay and the Mount can't get to one of its' ports... it looks like ice-out will be declared in the next few days or at least within a week!

Amazing... now get those boats in the water and bring on summer!!

-PIG

[dag623]

Originally Posted by Pine Island Guy

it never ceases to amaze me about how quickly the ice goes out when it occurs... a week ago people were still predicting a record breaking mid-May ice-out

-PIG

Guilty as charged
I too have been amazed at how quickly things are moving! I drive past Mt. Major through Alton on my to work every day, and "wow" is all I can say...

[ishoot308]

That wind has done and is doing some amazing work to break up that ice!! I never would have guessed a couple days ago that I would see open water in front of Welch like I do in this pic today!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Dan

[CateP]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

That wind has done and is doing some amazing work to break up that ice!! I never would have guessed a couple days ago that I would see open water in front of Welch like I do in this pic today!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Dan

Wow Dan. Good thing you have that breakwater. Your dock would be chop sticks if it weren't there.

[webmaster]

Emerson Aviation is reporting Ice-Out on Lily Pond. Ice-Out on the big lake should be 7-10 days away.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

That wind has done and is doing some amazing work to break up that ice!! I never would have guessed a couple days ago that I would see open water in front of Welch like I do in this pic today!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Dan

Wow.... some of those chunks of ice are 8 inches thick.

[Martin6683]

Just spoke to Ernie Sr. over at Gillan Marine, he seems to think Ice Out will be "much sooner than 7-10 days"....
im excited!

[Flyfisha]

Anyone know if Minge Cove has cleared?? Looks like it could be a Rattlesnake trip in the near future!!

[jazzman]

Still plenty of ice at the SE end of the broads off Barndoor Island

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by Flyfisha

Anyone know if Minge Cove has cleared?? Looks like it could be a Rattlesnake trip in the near future!!

I just spoke with Debbie and she said that the Minge Cove is currently clear. She said it was clear the other day, but then ice blew back in. Hopefully that won't happen again!!!! We are planning to have the boat ready for next Saturday, the 26th! I am so excited!!!!! If I could do a cartwheel without hurting myself, I would!

[Slickcraft]

The view from Belknap Point 2 days ago (Monday) and then today.

There is still a lot of ice to the north, Sanders Bay and 40 Islands area.

Smith cove is mostly open except for a small area just off of Fay's.

[Misha888]

Windy and cold this morning.

[Misha888]

From Christmas Island

[Orion]

Am I believing my eyes on the Snake Eyes web cam? Broads look wide open!!

[Accipiter290]

this is how i feel as i see all these updates daily

[AC2717]

I'm a scared for our docks in Paugus
but good news is the water is being turned on 04/23/14

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by AC2717

I'm a scared for our docks in Paugus
but good news is the water is being turned on 04/23/14

As of 6:15 this morning your docks were all clear with ice about 25 yards off their ends. On the north end of the bay I watched the ice drift in today so you should be even better than this morning.
This will be an interesting next few days with the drifting ice.

[jazzman]

I declare "ice out" on the broads side of Big Barndoor Island...

[Massasauga]

Attached are a few photos from today 4/17/14 (views from Lock's Hill and my first trip out to Rattlesnake)... Still lots of ice on the lake but the Broads are mostly open and Rattlesnake Island is substanially accessible (note, you may need to push through some ice). Minge Cove is open. I suspect West Alton is good too. Watch out for huge-moving ice-flows which could lock you in if you are not paying attention.

[Massasauga]

Actually this is my neighbor's dock... as my dock was locked in with ice...

[Bear Island South]

Good to see reflections on the water..won't be long now.

[sunsationdave]

Im at 301 weirs blvd we have 14 docks half of them got wiped out this week it happens here every few years and we wait in line to have them repaired due to the lack of dock repair companys on the lake
my dock is the most south dock and is still their today

if possible if paugusbayfirefighter can declaire ice out in the bay when it happens
that will ease some worring

Thanks

[TiltonBB]

From Dockham Shore Road. The southern tip of Governor's Island is to the left

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[HellRaZoR004]

Looks like things refroze overnight.

[JerseyGuy]

It appears that the ice flow was blown back into Wentworth Cove from Saunders Bay.

[Slickcraft]

It's always nicer to be looking outward from Welch than it is to be looking at Welch from Belknap Point as we did all winter.

No floating hazards noted, we probably were just lucky. Also no ice at all between Glendale and Welch.

The is still a lot of ice to the north, however much less was visible at 3 pm then there was at 11 am.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by sunsationdave

Im at 301 weirs blvd we have 14 docks half of them got wiped out this week it happens here every few years and we wait in line to have them repaired due to the lack of dock repair companys on the lake
my dock is the most south dock and is still their today

if possible if paugusbayfirefighter can declaire ice out in the bay when it happens
that will ease some worring

Thanks

I have been sitting at the end of my docks watching the ice drift in and out. I can see where you are if it's the area just north of the white/green boat house with stained stairs. There's a lot of ice between your docks and a strip of open water about 100 yards off your shore. The ice is climbing the rocks in some spots but nothing in others. Not too much wind now. I hope this ice disappears as fast as Lilly Pond did. That was a crazy 48 hour transformation.
Paugus has many open areas of water now so the masses of ice are just going where the wind takes them.
If there's anything I can do let me know..

[Orion]

Way to go Slickcraft! Must be nice. I'm jealous. Thanks for posting the pic. Looks like you've got plenty of stuff on the other side of your breakwater to put into a celebratory beverage.

[TiltonBB]

Looking From Weirs Beach towards Spindle Point today.

[ursa minor]

I sure hope whoever is in that kayak is wearing a dry suit! That's pretty close to some dangerously cold water.

[Bear Island South]

I guess the season has officially started, our first visitors have shown up.

[RANGER CANOE CO]

Please wear your life vest if your going to be going out on the water

[Merrymeeting]

Literally watching ice-out happening on Merrymeeting right now. Despite temps still below freezing, a very large expanse of ice that was there when I woke up is now gone and the rest seems to be melting quickly.

I never would have believed 2 weeks ago that this years ice-out may be earlier than last year.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

I never would have believed 2 weeks ago that this years ice-out may be earlier than last year.

Last year Ice-Out was today, 4/17.

Ice-Out dates for the last 120 years are listed on our Ice-Out page.

[Merrymeeting]

Thanks Don. I need to remember to check. Tried using my memory and somehow had the 24th in my head (second time making a mistake on this this winter. Guess I don't learn very well)

[Merrymeeting]

This was taken at about noon today in Wolfeboro.

Also, doesn't take them long to discover the ice is gone. Our neighbor saw a loon on Merrymeeting this morning, and my wife saw one in Back Bay, Wolfeboro

[JMR]

Again Mother Nature is doing her magic! After hearing the May/June dates it is good to see the ice disappear. And after this winter, we all need the sun. On the island soon! Can't wait, I guess you would call it island fever. Thanks to all for posting your photos and comments

[webmaster]

Post by Emerson Aviation.