Ice-Out!

As all the the weeks have this year, last week started off with ice covering the lake. Unlike the start of all the previous weeks, there was open water on the edges and it was growing. No longer was the question whether we'd have an ice-out this year (a very serious interrogative back around January 58th), but when ice-out would occur.

Rain at the start of the week thinned the ice and raised the lake level.

By Thursday, the sheet began to break up. Many believed the lake would be clear of ice by the end of the weekend. Many turned out to be correct.

On Friday, the islands were freed up and the ice began to move. A boat was called for to check the thickness of the field.

The open water was very flat. The ice on the edges was about a half an inch thick. The ice farther from the edge was over 3 inches thick and quite impassible.

The lake level is getting too high. Melt water and rain have pushed it to 29 inches above the nail. A strong wind from the wrong direction would scrub docks, boat houses, and cabins from the shore. Fortunately, the winds followed a good vector during the entire ice-out event.

At the same time over the hill, Lake Metonga's ice was also breaking up.

To the East, Devils Lake, Wabikon, and Riley have been ice free for almost 2 weeks.

Late Thursday, the sheet unlocked from the shore and began to push up on parts of the North end of the lake. The fingers of cold reached out almost 30 feet onto lawns. That, and a very squishy ground made any mowing impossible.

On Friday morning, ice still covered about 50% of the lake. A strong wind from the south west, strong sun, and close to a 70°F air temperature would sweep and melt the lake ice free in less than 9 hours.

The first footers of the year joined toe to water just before the lake was completely ice free.

There's still a few lumps of ice on Knott Lane. They should be mostly gone by June. Mostly.

Nights have been filled with spring peeper noise and loon song. This year, the loons seem even more joyous than the people with the May 4th date in the ice-out contest.

First, don't adjust your screen. Just as the lake got a makeover (no ice!) we have a new look. It's more flexible and plays better with modern technology. Second, congratulations to all the winners in this year's ice-out contest! Third, it may look like Summer, except for the leafless trees, but the water temperature is not even close. Putting in piers and lifts is going to involve wet suits and blue skin for the next several weeks. With the first ski show only about 5 weeks away (Wednesday, June 12 at 6:30 PM in front of Water's Edge), it can't warm up fast enough for some.

-Nemo's anxious to ski up all that flat.

Ice-Out!

April 29th through May 5th, 2019