Ice-in Watch 2007

[BoulderBronco]

Is anyone else suprised to see so many cars and trucks out there with only 10" of ice? I never go out with my truck unless I have at least 14-15" and thats the LEAST.

[codeman671]

A TV news van in Milwaukee found out the hard way today of the dangers of thin ice when they fell through, ironically while doing a story on the dangers of snowmobiling on ice...

http://www.wmur.com/video/10869522/index.html

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by BoulderBronco

Is anyone else suprised to see so many cars and trucks out there with only 10" of ice? I never go out with my truck unless I have at least 14-15" and thats the LEAST.

According to this chart 10" of "clear and sound" ice will hold a 7 to 8 ton moving truck: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

[CanisLupusArctos]

In the pale blue moonlight, Lake Winnipesaukee's ice pack is making noises that sound much like the distant but frequent rumbles of an approaching severe thunderstorm in summertime. The sound begins at one end of the pack, over by Moultonborough Neck or Bear Island, then travels up towards Center Harbor over a period of about 5 seconds, and in the opposite direction as well. It reverberates off all the shores and echoes through the air above. It makes me think I'm going to see lightning, but with the air so dry I am getting static zaps of almost cardiac-defibrillation quality.

No visible melting at Black Cat today except as caused by nearby dock circulator, and the wind picked up, which caused the even covering of (insulating) snow to get blown into a patchwork of bare spots and drifts. Now we're down to +6 under clear skies and nearly-calm wind.

Ambrose Angler, I'm glad to know I'm of help to you. Have a safe trip to the derby!

Gatto Nero, I'm glad you made it all the way around the island on the ice! I was still giving it a bit more time- not believing it would be "ready" after just a week. Unbelievable!

I can almost hear Bob Seger singing about it:

It was 18, the winter day was fair
The lake was frozen, solid everywhere
Like a rock...

[Mink Islander]

Looks like a pair of Merganzers paddling around the open water.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

Gatto Nero, I'm glad you made it all the way around the island on the ice! I was still giving it a bit more time- not believing it would be "ready" after just a week. Unbelievable!

Actually, we did have one scare, and it happened to be right in front of you're cam. We ventured over to the shoal to check out the pile up of ice and as we got about 3' from it we heard an enormous crack. I'm guessing we had stepped on a spot that had ridden up the rock, leaving no water underneath as a foundation. Regardless, we all stopped dead in our tracks and retreated back to towards shore in a hurry. Thankfully the rest of the trip was non-eventful.

[CanisLupusArctos]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

We ventured over to the shoal to check out the pile up of ice and as we got about 3' from it we heard an enormous crack. I'm guessing we had stepped on a spot that had ridden up the rock, leaving no water underneath as a foundation.

You've discovered the odd ways the ice behaves around Black Cat Shoals. I think you were probably fine, since it's been cracking and booming a lot lately during the thickening process. Don't lose that fear you mentioned though. The outermost part is a bedrock ledge that rises gently from the west and touches the surface with the top of a 12-foot underwater cliff facing east. That thing is a trap in all seasons. I've unofficially named it "Mousetrap Ledge." (come over some Saturday afternoon this summer and we'll see boats hit it...)

In winter there is typically a rift in the ice that forms between the ledge and the south tip of the island. It behaves like a geological fault line - creating "mountains" in some seasons, and looking more like the San Andreas in other seasons. Come spring, the rift opens into a lead, then the shoals, and then ice-out is usually within two weeks. In the warm winters we've had lately (example- 2002), the water around Mousetrap never froze, and the remainder of the shoals was only iced-over on the coldest days.

In a normal winter it's just as you say - the ice gets pushed up into hollow mountains with a watery crevasse hidden underneath. Fun fun fun!

When you walked past Black Cat's bridge, how was the ice underneath? I keep forgetting to stop on the bridge and check. If it's frozen its a *very* good sign for the rest of the ice in the area.

[Island Girl]

My good friend (DBA's husband) did something out there today... (he is out on the island with the airboat today... reports some quality ice). I expect he unplugged the power to the webcam system and plugged it back in again.

Check out Snake Eyes which is back in operation!!!!


Yay, Thanks, Father Nuke!!!

IG

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

... Check out Snake Eyes which is back in operation!!!!
IG

[JTA]

This has been one of the best threads ever IMHO. Especially the pictures seconded only by the adventures of FLL. I'm down in Connecticut and won't be visiting the Lake this winter due to a mending knee injury (Doc thinks I'll slip and fall on the ice, silly man). It's been great to watch the progress of the ice-in and now the various adventures on the ice. Thanks all!!

[BoulderBronco]

Yes. Definitely a good post. But I am trying to find info on Meredith bay specifically. Most of what I hear is Alton. Anyone know what the ice is like in Meredith bay? Close to the docks and farther out towards the weirs? I bought my flight and am trying to figure out if I will want to drive a truck up there and out on the ice or if I am going via snowmobile. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Pics are always good too.

[donnamatrix]

Hey: I saw two trucks on CH bay around 1pm today... but still none on Meredith Bay.

I have a photo taken on Monday by Lakes Region Aerial (from CH) showing ice everywhere. How do I post it?? I'm fairly computer savvy, but brain dead this afternoon.

[BoulderBronco]

thanks for the update. If you ever hear of more info let us know. To post a picture just hit reply as normal. Then on the reply page, if you scroll down a bit, there is a box that says "manage attachments." Click that box and upload your pics from your computer. Just be sure they are small enough or they will not go through.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

How do I post it?? I'm fairly computer savvy, but brain dead this afternoon.

Donna, I just tried to reply to your email but it was returned as "User Unknown". It looks like BoulderBronco gave you good advice anyway.

There is more on posting and editing pictures in the Support Forum.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

When you walked past Black Cat's bridge, how was the ice underneath? I keep forgetting to stop on the bridge and check. If it's frozen its a *very* good sign for the rest of the ice in the area.

There was only about 3' of open ice under the bridge. I didn't get close enough to the edge to see how thick it was near the water though.

[nj2nh]

Your website rocks! The pictures are simply beautiful. What a great job you have done with it.

Jersey Girl
(who is wishing she were in NH where there is snow unlike NJ)

[snowmobiler]

so if today high =was 16 degrees then how come the water temp page sice the temp went up from 35 degrees to 37?

Also, would most be willing to agree that it will be safe to snowmobile on most parts of the lake this weekend? More snow for tonight and even more for friday in addition to the cold temperatures

[Island Girl]

I think we can declare Ice-in... I am sure there are still many unsafe places on the lake... please use care out there and take all the recommended precautions.

Have fun... and see you out there.

Think snow!!

[Grant]

Originally Posted by webmaster

According to this chart 10" of "clear and sound" ice will hold a 7 to 8 ton moving truck: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

That is a very cool site. Thanks for the information.