Ice-Out History?
 

Does anyone have any information on how Ice-Out was determined before pilots Alan and then Dave Emerson became the official judge? The recorded dates go back over 120 years so there must have been a method at one time that didn't involve an airplane.

I received a question about this from a newspaper writer and thought the history buffs here might have some information.

Ice out
 

At one time they posted a raft on the ice at the Weirs with an electric clock. When the raft move enough to stop the clock that was "ice out". This may have been in the 50's but I am not sure.
Dave Pangburn-Lockes Island

Fuuny you asked this question Don as I was wondering the same thing last week. I would assume that if the same criteria was used, (navigating to all the Mt.W ports)a boat was sent out to see if it could do just that. Or maybe they used a hot air balloon? :laugh:

The Thing
 

Yes, Dave 35, I remember in the late 1940's they used to set up a raft at the Weirs, as you say. In 1950 a song called "The Thing" (recorded by Phil Harris) became widely popular. After that time, the ice-out raft became known as "The Thing".

I would inquire at Goodhue and Hawkins marina in Wolfeboro. They have every ice out date posted on their wall and might be able to shed some light for you.

'Wild Thing'
 

I remember my Grandfather and Dad talking about this raft. I though they were pulling my ................ :emb:

I guess this is true. :rolleye1:

Ice Out Towers...
 

There is a long history ice out in other parts of the USA.

My sister lives in Fairbanks, and Ice Out on the Chena River it is a big deal.. and big money!
They use a Tower and Clock that sounds similar to the Weirs Raft.
This story is about Tanana River.

http://juneauempire.com/stories/0501...74221148.shtml

Maybe we should bring back the raft idea! I would be fun... and someone could win some big bucks. :laugh:

Where I grew up in the northeastern VT (the NEK) the biggest ice out contest in the area was for Joe's Pond located in West Danville. They use the clock method also except that there's a cinder block involved so the raft doesn't move, it just sinks when the ice weakens.

http://joespondvermont.com/iceout.html

For ponds, the clock method works well. For Winnipesaukee, not so much. This year, I was iced out over a week before the official declaration. Where would you put the clock?

After the ice-out call, we had photos posted of ice in Roberts Cove. We're talking about a record that has been kept for over 100 years. The method should have some consistency, otherwise the record could be called into question.

What we do today is fine - but it is not perfect. This year, the Roberts Cove pictures proved that.

...but our current definition of ice-out does not require the Mount to make it into Robert's Cove.

I was wondering why Center Harbor was included as one of the ports until I saw that they appear to be making a once a week trip this season to CH. I'm so glad, it was going to be very lonely without the Mount making a stop there.:)

As one who has kept his boat at Robert's Cove for many years, it's one of the last places on the lake to be rid of ice every year. It's located on the east-most end of the lake and almost perfectly aligned with the prevailing wind that blows down through the broads and the ice just piles up in it. This year though, it is out as early as I have seen it in 25+ years.

Subsequently in the summer, just outside the cove before the water depth quickly drops to 100+ feet, it can also have some of the roughest water on the lake when the wind picks up.