Water Temp

[jogator1]

I wanted to follow the water temperatures as we get closer to winter. Does anyone know a consistent source of Winni's water temp that is updated daily? I know there is a page on this site but I was looking for another source. Thank you.

[First Mate]

You might try this one...the water temp is in the narrative:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/gyx/lakeforecasts/

[webmaster]

The WeatherCAM site lists the live temperature but they seem to be having trouble since the temperature at 2 ft. is listed as 140.6 °F. I don't know of a site that has an archive of water temperatures except this one.

[Merrymeeting]

Despite the nighttime temps, and the major fog each morning, I've recorded an increase in water temp this week of about 2 degrees.

This afternoon, with air temps hovering close to 80, I was getting 66+ at 3'

[RLW]

First Mate, 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.

[phoenix]

water temp says 46 which is hard to believe compared to 57 last year

[Barney Bear]

The water temperature last Sunday [10-20-13] at East Bear Island was 61 degrees.

[Merrymeeting]

I'm getting 54.5 on Merrymeeting today. 3' down, usually close to Winni temps

[phoenix]

the 46 was from forum water temp page seems too low for this time of year

[phoenix]

well now it says 43 for water temp. at this rate we will have ice in very early. Still hard to believe the numbers

[fatlazyless]

.....43....no-way buddy......doncha believe it.....I was in the water up to my armpits wearing just a bathing suit on Tuesday, messing with the non-working trim & tilt on my 40hp outboard.....and you knows it was not all that cold....felt like maybe 55-degrees if I had to pick a number..........43.......no-way.....plus it was sunny and kinda warm which never hurts!

...anyone know....is there likely to be a separate in-line fuse or some easy fix on a Honda outboard like that?

[webmaster]

Something is definitely wrong with the water temps being reported by the Lakeport dam. Yesterday they reported 46° and today 55°.

The Weathercam site is the only other source I have for the water temp and it is now reporting -103.9 °F at 2 ft. Without another source I have no choice but to post the temp. reported by the dam, even if it doesn't look right.

[phoenix]

thx Don 55 certainly seems more likely

[Merrymeeting]

I've been tracking the Winni/Lakeport temps compared to the ones I take on Merrymeeting for many years now. I've always been within a degree or 2 of the Lakeport readings, until recently.

My dock is finally out so my regular readings are done for the season, but as of a few days ago, I was still getting readings in the mid-50's. I'll do some spot ones until the ice forms.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Today's Bizer report from Lakeport Dam has the water at a chilly 38 degrees. I have the same temps a foot below the surface near Christmas Island.

[HellRaZoR004]

Perhaps the blackcat temp is off by 100degF?

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

The current water temperature of 38 is 10 degrees colder than last year on this date. The water temperature didn't reach 38 until the 3rd week of December last year. The first reports of ice skimming last year were Dec. 26th ish. There's not enough constant cold air for ice yet, but we are set up for an earlier "ice in" than last year.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

The current water temperature of 38 is 10 degrees colder than last year on this date. The water temperature didn't reach 38 until the 3rd week of December last year. The first reports of ice skimming last year were Dec. 26th ish. There's not enough constant cold air for ice yet, but we are set up for an earlier "ice in" than last year.

I highly doubt the water temp is 38*....must be something wrong with the sensor. Its just too early for water temps that low.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

I highly doubt the water temp is 38*....must be something wrong with the sensor. Its just too early for water temps that low.

You may be right, but that would mean the sensor on my thermometer is also defective. Lakeport dam had 39 today. They usually only post weekly. I have a feeling they took a second report today to confirm yesterday's reading. I had my arm in the water today attempting to retrieve trash under the docks and I can tell you the water feels all of 38. I went back to 2007-12 and all the November water temps were around 45-48 at this time. So your skepticism is very warranted.
Time will tell.

[HellRaZoR004]

There are a couple ponds in Hudson that skimmed over with ice the past couple mornings. It's been too warm during the day to sustain it though.

[phoenix]

its interesting that the water temp went form 55-38 over less than two weeks now back up to 41. Maybe FLL has been back in the water

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Down to 36 today at Lakeport. I have 37. Next weeks forcast shows the coldest weather of the season with highs in the lower 30's and lows in the teens. The lake will surely "flip" very soon, ice is very close.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

Down to 36 today at Lakeport. I have 37. Next weeks forcast shows the coldest weather of the season with highs in the lower 30's and lows in the teens. The lake will surely "flip" very soon, ice is very close.

Sorry PBFF. There's no way the lake is 36 degrees yet. It's just too early for those water temps to be accurate. Ice of any significance is at least a month away.
BT

[upthesaukee]

...still had a skim of ice on it at 1100 AM this morning.

Maybe we will get an early ice in, good ice fishing, good snowmobiling earlier than usual, then ice out around the middle of April, and the boat in the water on May 1.

[phoenix]

hard to know what to believe One would think that the lake temp would gradually drop but the official temp seems to swing widely. As a benchmark last year at this time it was 46 vs 36 listed now so it would seem to be somewhere low for this time of year. It will get cold soon based on the weather forecast so lets see what happens

[HellRaZoR004]

A lot of people are also forgetting that last summer (2012) was one of the warmest in recent times. This year, not so much. The ponds down in Hudson had a good glaze of ice couple days ago. With the temps forecasted for next week I wouldn't be surprised if they froze over (assuming little wind).

[phoenix]

good point but I went back and 2011/2010/2009 as well had temps at this time around mid 40's so this would be real early to be mid 30's but certainly possible

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by phoenix

good point but I went back and 2011/2010/2009 as well had temps at this time around mid 40's so this would be real early to be mid 30's but certainly possible

No doubt it may be a few weeks before 'substantial' ice, but there is already ice forming in the coves and shorelines. I'm sure that ice will melt, but it confirms that the lake is cold enough for ice to form. This morning's ice is about a month ahead of last years skimming.
This quote was from Emerson Aviation last Jan. 2, imo he could write a very similar report next week.

"Checked out some of the shorelines and coves this morning on the "Big Lake". Finally seeing ice. With temperatures forecasted to fall below 0' tonight, below freezing for the next few days and the winds diminishing we should see much more ice in the days ahead. Stay Tuned!"

[phoenix]

Dont think they keep records for earlies ice in but with these temps it is at least a month ahead of last several years

[tis]

I know our marker was always that the edges started to freeze around Thanksgiving. Since Thanksgiving is a little late this year, I don't think we are too far off.

[Pine Island Guy]

40 degrees at 2 feet down off the end of the dock.... brrrr...

A wild ride out to the island, crazy windy, extremely rough, and cold enough so that the spray was freezing on the windshield...

-PIG

[Merrymeeting]

Dock is out so I can only measure in shallow area near the shore, but I got 38.6 on Wednesday. Pretty close to when it starts freezing, and we do have ice on the shoreline and the rocks above water.

Temps will moderate some next week. But I'd say it's on track for a slightly early freeze (mid-late Dec) if weather doesn't warm.

[riverat]

Alton bay this am.

[Just Sold]

Thanks for posting. Sure wish there was still an active web camera here or across the bay.

Originally Posted by riverat

Alton bay this am.

[bclaker]

Originally Posted by riverat

Alton bay this am.

It shouldn't be too long before you will have your Bob House out. Wish I could get out, but I guess those days are over for me.

[riverat]

Originally Posted by bclaker

It shouldn't be too long before you will have your Bob House out. Wish I could get out, but I guess those days are over for me.

Should'nt be too long, hopefully 1st week of 2014.
when the ice is 12"+ and conditions are right maybe you could take a ride out to the bobhouse and set for spell and have some grub and hot beverage. would love to see ya.

This is a pic of my new bobhouise i am putting together, almost done.

[WakeboardMom]

Ice in our bay today...near Long Island bridge. It's wicked early!

[Lakegeezer]

We returned from our Thanksgiving travels to find the dock frozen in about 1/8" of ice. We usually wait for Thanksgiving to raise it, so I wasn't concerned leaving it in while we ate turkey. With luck, I had attached the cable to the lifter, so was able to crank it out of the ice, in the dark. This morning, I can stand on the ice - although it is cracking enough to keep me from going out far. In the past 20+ years, I've seen solid ice on the bay in mid December, but its the first I've stood on the ice in November. It will be interesting to see if it lasts.

[gokart-mozart]

Lake Wentworth usually freezes over in fits and starts - there are enough springs and currents, plus the average shallow depth, to leave leads open which can break up the ice once or twice when the wind starts blowing.

This morning (November 30), it looks like it's frozen over from shore to shore. I have not been out yet, but the usual open spots by my house are frozen solid.

Since 1988, when I moved here, the earliest observed freeze over was December 4.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by riverat

Should'nt be too long, hopefully 1st week of 2014.
when the ice is 12"+ and conditions are right maybe you could take a ride out to the bobhouse and set for spell and have some grub and hot beverage. would love to see ya.

This is a pic of my new bobhouise i am putting together, almost done.

Looking good. I bet there will be many wonderful hours will be spent in the new house along with meeting many friends and making many new friends. Good luck with the fishing line and hook this year.

[Chaselady]

19 Mile Bay frozen over to Chase and Farm islands. Mirror Lake ice covered.

[gokart-mozart]

A few wet spots formed by noon, but froze over again by 4. The whole lake surface is frozen from 109 to the South shore, unless there is a radical change in 24-48h, I think it's here to stay.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Something is definitely wrong with the water temps being reported by the Lakeport dam. Yesterday they reported 46° and today 55°.

...Without another source I have no choice but to post the temp. reported by the dam, even if it doesn't look right.

Another strange temperature report of 28° from the Lakeport Dam yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen it that low. In Mid-winter with the lake completely frozen over the water temperature never gets below 33° at the dam.

[fatlazyless]

...am supposedly removing my little 16' fishing boat & motor this afternoon....am concerned about the water between Shep Browns and the Cattle Landing freezing over....and a weekend snow storm is predicted so it seems like it is time to take it all out......along with the dock and boatlift....no fun hoisting a boatlift up thru a foot of snow....and slipp'n and slidd'n up and down the rocky embankment.....u-know that I remove a 450-lb boatlift all by myself with a makeshift 10' plank ramp and a winch attached to a handy tree......one does not have to be crazy to do this alone....but it helps??? Have been doing it like this for maybe ten years or more, now.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Another strange temperature report of 28° from the Lakeport Dam yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen it that low. In Mid-winter with the lake completely frozen over the water temperature never gets below 33° at the dam.

Lakeport takes their readings at 1' below the surface. It was pretty windy and rough yesterday, I can only think that the choppy water, below freezing wind chills and shallow depth of the thermometer are the reason for the weird reading? Although wind and other factors would always exist. I looked back in time and haven't seen any historic Lakeport water temps recorded below 34.
No doubt the water is plenty cold enough to freeze. Not sure about 28 degrees though. The wind broke up the ice around my dock and I have 33 degrees, but it's at about 2'.

Last year on this day the lake temp was 40 degrees!

[jrc]

Trying to remember my high school physics, is it even possible to have liquid water at 28F?

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by jrc

Trying to remember my high school physics, is it even possible to have liquid water at 28F?

I think we took the same course!
Bottom line, water freezes to a solid at 32F / 0C.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by jrc

Trying to remember my high school physics, is it even possible to have liquid water at 28F?

Average salinity sea water freezes at about 28 degrees.

[phoenix]

Don I agree I no longer believe their readings as they bounce all over the place. It goes down by 5 degrees then a few days later up 5 degrees. Something seems to be wrong and I agree 28 is not likely

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by jrc

Trying to remember my high school physics, is it even possible to have liquid water at 28F?

Yes.

Google "supercooled water".

Granted it's unlikely that any of those cases exist in a lake, but it is technically possible to have liquid water below 32F.

[webmaster]

25° on Saturday???

[fatlazyless]

.....yesterday afternoon Saturday about 1-pm as I was removing my large boat-lift up the embankment....I could see some pretty good sized sheets of ice forming all along the outer northern side of Governor's Island...and a couple spots of maybe 20-acres each out by Timber and Mark Island....the air temp at the time was about 10-degrees and the wind was very still....untill a little bit later on when the wind picked up a bit....and the wind increase was apparently enough to disolve the newly formed ice sheets back into liquid water....


...you know the Tilton Wal-Mart carries fishing waders and they have these el cheapo deluxo's which work super-duper....only $16.95...with stocking feet that go inside your sneakers or water shoes....the nylon-vinyl wader goes up all the way to one's armpits, and include two short elastic suspender straps to go over your shoulders or criss-crossed over one's neck...dock removal happiness is having waders which do not leak....and at just 16.95....a steal of a high-quality deal.........gotta love that Tilton Wal-Mart because neither Gilford or Plymouth carry any waders!

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...you know the Tilton Wal-Mart carries fishing waders and they have these el cheapo deluxo's which work super-duper....only $16.95...with stocking feet that go inside your sneakers or water shoes....the nylon-vinyl wader goes up all the way to one's armpits, and include two short elastic suspender straps to go over your shoulders or criss-crossed over one's neck...dock removal happiness is having waders which do not leak....and at just 16.95....a steal of a high-quality deal.........gotta love that Tilton Wal-Mart because neither Gilford or Plymouth carry any waders!

These trash bags with a sock in them??
Only $11.99 free ship to store!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texsport-S...Wader/25539526

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

These trash bags with a sock in them??
Only $11.99 free ship to store!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texsport-S...Wader/25539526

No, the brand at the Tilton Wal-Mart was not Tex-Sport, and they go up higher, like all the way to my armpits with extra loose fit to spare, plus they come in at least two sizes.....large and double large or something....say-hey...$16.95 for a somewaht similar but different item at Tilton???

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

No, the brand at the Tilton Wal-Mart was not Tex-Sport, and they go up higher, like all the way to my armpits with extra loose fit to spare, plus they come in at least two sizes.....large and double large or something....say-hey...$16.95 for a somewaht similar but different item at Tilton???

When you wear chest waders, you should also wear a belt tightly around your chest to keep water from pouring in if you should get into a hole that is deeper than the top of your waders. This can literally be a life saver.

[Merrymeeting]

If anyone buys waders at the Tilton Wal-Mart soon, I suggest you check them closely. They may have been used and then returned.

[Blue Thunder]

The water temp today is posted as 25 degrees. So by now everyone should be convinced that the water temps posted and commented on in this thread have been bogus for weeks if not months. If, in fact, the water temp was 25 degrees...the lake would be solid ice and a temp that low could not really be measured accurately. Just sayin....

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

The water temp today is posted as 25 degrees. So by now everyone should be convinced that the water temps posted and commented on in this thread have been bogus for weeks if not months. If, in fact, the water temp was 25 degrees...the lake would be solid ice and a temp that low could not really be measured accurately. Just sayin....

Besides the obvious problem with the readings now at Lakeport Dam, where do you see anything to dismiss the earlier reported readings posted and commented on?

The temperature of 38 degrees on Nov. 15th was what you questioned. You said "I highly doubt the water temp is 38*....must be something wrong with the sensor. Its just too early for water temps that low."

Six days later on Nov. 21st, when Lakeport reported temps of 36 degrees, you said "Sorry PBFF. There's no way the lake is 36 degrees yet. It's just too early for those water temps to be accurate. Ice of any significance is at least a month away."

Now, knowing that ice started forming 2 weeks later, you still think the readings were bogus? It's not plausible that the lake could be 38 degrees on Nov. 15th and 35 degrees on the 28th with ice forming in the coves? What am I missing?

I agree the temps may be wrong at Lakeport now, but when you originally questioned my post I said that I confirmed the water temps by looking at my two dock thermometers, which are now under about 4 inches of solid ice, about a month earlier than last year.

The picture is looking across Paugus Bay at Lakeport where the temps are recorded. It appears to have "significant" ice, as does most of the lake.
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

Besides the obvious problem with the readings now at Lakeport Dam, where do you see anything to dismiss the earlier reported readings posted and commented on?

The temperature of 38 degrees on Nov. 15th was what you questioned. You said "I highly doubt the water temp is 38*....must be something wrong with the sensor. Its just too early for water temps that low."

Six days later on Nov. 21st, when Lakeport reported temps of 36 degrees, you said "Sorry PBFF. There's no way the lake is 36 degrees yet. It's just too early for those water temps to be accurate. Ice of any significance is at least a month away."

Now, knowing that ice started forming 2 weeks later, you still think the readings were bogus? It's not plausible that the lake could be 38 degrees on Nov. 15th and 35 degrees on the 28th with ice forming in the coves? What am I missing?

I agree the temps may be wrong at Lakeport now, but when you originally questioned my post I said that I confirmed the water temps by looking at my two dock thermometers, which are now under about 4 inches of solid ice, about a month earlier than last year.

The picture is looking across Paugus Bay at Lakeport where the temps are recorded. It appears to have "significant" ice, as does most of the lake.
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

Not looking in any way to get into a point/counterpoint with you sir! I wasn't the only one to question the water temps all the way back to October. Just go back and re read this entire thread. My comments are based on the reports from Lakeport Dam. They have been significantly fluctuating since the end of October. Several forum members including phoenix, FLL, and our own Webmaster have commented as to the temp reporting accuracy.
When I made the comment on Nov 15th "I highly doubt the water temp is 38*....must be something wrong with the sensor. Its just too early for water temps that low", you agreed with me!
So to answer your question...yes I am still suspect of the readings today and 6-8 weeks ago. Also, while much of the lake has ice on it, I wouldn't call it significant at all. Much of it is probably very thin. JMHO.

BT

[phoenix]

well the official temp went up from 25-34 over last week. 34 is the temp it is usually at when the lake freezes so maybe it is finally right

[webmaster]

I just couldn't post today's reported water temperature of 22°. I'm guessing that's wrong by 10-12°. The last 4 day's strange reports have been 30°, 35°, 25° and 22°.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

I have 35 degrees at ~18" below. It will probably stay within 34-36 degrees for a few weeks.

[phoenix]

maybe we should let Paugus Bay do the readings since they appear more logical. Any bets Don the next reading will be back to 28-30

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by phoenix

maybe we should let Paugus Bay do the readings since they appear more logical. Any bets Don the next reading will be back to 28-30

Honestly Phoenix at this point it's moot. Once the water freezes over the temperature stays in the 34-35 range until the middle-end of March.

I'm sure you already have this but you can check historical temps here.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/tempcal/

FYI...Bizer has a reading of 24 degrees on New Years Eve. They are also questioning the readings as you can see...an interesting thing is the outflow increase..."LOW TIDE" is about 6 weeks away!

http://www.bizer.com/
2013 Actual Deviation Outflow at
Date Height from Norm Lakeport Dam
----- ---- --.-- TEMP ---- ---
10/03 Thu 3.23 ft + .03 60 360 CFS
10/17 Thu 3.23 + .18 57 70 CFS
10/23 Wed 3.25 + .07 52 50 CFS
10/31 Thu 3.14 + .02 46 230 CFS
11/14 Thu 2.99 - .12 38 240 CFS
11/21 Thu 2.98 - .04 36 230 CFS
11/28 Thu 3.14 + .01 35 230 CFS
12/04 Wed3.17 - .02 36 235 CFS
12/12 Thu 3.16 - .07 ?? 260 CFS
12/19 Thu 3.22 + .12 ?? 270 CFS The dam bureau is reporting a water temp of 30°, which is impossible.
12/26 Thu 3.29 + .21 30 290 CFS

01/02 Thu 3.31 + .18 24 1020 CFS
*--------------------------------------

[phoenix]

agree with you and hopefully by March the dam will get their thermometer fixed

[webmaster]

I just got an email from someone who spoke to the new dam operator:

"They are aware of a problem of thermometer placement and will fix it as time becomes available."

I'm not sure how "thermometer placement" would account for the 22 degrees reported on Wednesday.

[DEJ]

Originally Posted by webmaster

I'm not sure how "thermometer placement" would account for the 22 degrees reported on Wednesday.

It might have been reading air temp when that temp was registered thus placement would account for that reading.

[rander7823]

To get a water temp you have to actually place the thermometer in the water.

I would never have thought of that

[phoenix]

and below the first inch

[Merrymeeting]

The water temps now reported on the water temp page now seem to be more appropriate, and the past errors seem to have been corrected. Does this mean the issue was found and corrected?