2024 Ice-Out Guess Contest Now Open

[fatlazyless]

On Tuesday, March 5 at about noon, on a very gray cloudy day, the NH Fish and Game had ice diving practice training in Center Harbor Bay. About five pick-up trucks, two dive team trailers, about ten(?) officers and a 20' jon boat powered by a large airplane propeller were present at the Center Harbor boat launch, town docks, and parking area.

Watching the 20' ice air boat moving out across the gray ice, the weak gray ice didn't have strength enough to support the boat so it plowed through it and was partially supported by water and partially by soft ice for about 300-yards. F & G divers in complete black wet suits took turns making practice dives through the ice opening created by the air boat. This went on for a few hours time with repeated dive practice training drills with different divers making practice dives out there through the gray ice. Maybe the ice could support a person walking but could not support the weight and power of the ice boat which looked like it was mostly supported by the water, under the ice, or something, as it has the ability to move across ice, water, and soft slushy ice. It made a heck of a lot of loud noise, coming from the engine, as it powers across the weak ice.

So, the ice dive, recovery team doesn't just magically happen, it takes practice and team work to be able to locate and remove a dead drowned body from under the ice, somewhere down there.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

On Tuesday, March 5 at about noon, on a very gray cloudy day, the NH Fish and Game had ice diving practice training in Center Harbor Bay. About five pick-up trucks, two dive team trailers, about ten(?) officers and a 20' jon boat powered by a large airplane propeller were present at the Center Harbor boat launch, town docks, and parking area.

Watching the 20' ice air boat moving out across the gray ice, the weak gray ice didn't have strength enough to support the boat so it plowed through it and was partially supported by water and partially by soft ice for about 300-yards. F & G divers in complete black wet suits took turns making practice dives through the ice opening created by the air boat. This went on for a few hours time with repeated dive practice training drills with different divers making practice dives out there through the gray ice. Maybe the ice could support a person walking but could not support the weight and power of the ice boat which looked like it was mostly supported by the water, under the ice, or something, as it has the ability to move across ice, water, and soft slushy ice. It made a heck of a lot of loud noise, coming from the engine, as it powers across the weak ice.

So, the ice dive, recovery team doesn't just magically happen, it takes practice and team work to be able to locate and remove a dead drowned body from under the ice, somewhere down there.

Drove by on Feb 25th and they were out there as well. At first I just thought it was fishermen but then I noticed as I drive by they were really close to the water!! Would love to volunteer one of these times to be a victim and just hang out in the water while they rescue me. I'm sure they don't let just anyone do that, but it's on my bucket list

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by chachee52

Drove by on Feb 25th and they were out there as well. At first I just thought it was fishermen but then I noticed as I drive by they were really close to the water!! Would love to volunteer one of these times to be a victim and just hang out in the water while they rescue me. I'm sure they don't let just anyone do that, but it's on my bucket list

What you saw was probably local fire fighters wearing bright red or bright yellow dry suits that was a practice rescue where they drill train for saving someone from drowning.

So, what's the difference between a rescue and a recovery? It could be wearing flotation like a pfd, or a foam noodle belt tied tight around the waist under a coat.

Walking out onto the lake ice can seem so visually safe and solid at first until you go smash, crunch, wack and break through the ice in half a second as it breaks under your weight.

[Slickcraft]

Smith Cove today looking from Fay's dock: Close. Still planning escape on Wednesday.

Alan

[codeman671]

One sliver at the end of the Glendale YC docks to go and we can reach our slips. By the time the Eastern is cleaned this week it will be good to go in.

[Slickcraft]

Alton Bay today- I was surprised with the amount of ice left given the wind. Mostly ice, with many open patches, from the bandstand to at least Loon Cove. Now open at the scenic overlook but the edge of ice may be just below that.

No ice out today. Even if it was, Emerson probably would not fly. The wind at the airport is NW 18 sustained gusts to 31.

Smith Cove - We took just a quick look from the Glendale YC driveway, the ice sheet had moved away from the YC docks. So the ice sheet is free to be moved around by the wind. I do recall that in a recent year the west by NW wind pushed the ice sheet into the neck of the cove. Will take a look from Fay's tomorrow.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Alton Bay today- I was surprised with the amount of ice left given the wind. Mostly ice, with many open patches, from the bandstand to at least Loon Cove. Now open at the scenic overlook but the edge of ice may be just below that.

No ice out today. Even if it was, Emerson probably would not fly. The wind at the airport is NW 18 sustained gusts to 31.

Smith Cove - We took just a quick look from the Glendale YC driveway, the ice sheet had moved away from the YC docks. So the ice sheet is free to be moved around by the wind. I do recall that in a recent year the west by NW wind pushed the ice sheet into the neck of the cove. Will take a look from Fay's tomorrow.

When I headed south this morning, from the scenic overlook it appeared to be out almost to Echo point. Definitely pulling away on the edges, but still ice to the bandstand on the southern end. Our weather station has recorded gusts to 46.8 mph just over the Gilford line.

Lots of ice moving between East Bear and 5/6 Mile. A friend a bit further north has been sharing camera pics all day. We are seeing it roll into our shore and disappear. Lots of wind through early Wednesday and decent daytime temps should still give a solid chance of ice out by the weekend I think.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by codeman671

When I headed south this morning, from the scenic overlook it appeared to be out almost to Echo point. Definitely pulling away on the edges, but still ice to the bandstand on the southern end. Our weather station has recorded gusts to 46.8 mph just over the Gilford line.

Wow, you really get the wind up there on that hill!! The highest I recorded today on my weather-station on Welch is 37 MPH...

Dan

[codeman671]

Alton Bay lost a lot overnight. One band left south of Echo Point is the major blockage. About 100 yards north of the bandstand there is a strip of ice holding back a pile of slush. I expect that to go today, and the rest to the north by tomorrow.

I hear the ice in the vicinity of 5 Mile is gone, and Island Services are out and about.

What does Center Harbor and Wolfeboro look like? Thinking Alton Bay may be the hold out.

[DickR]

By late yesterday, the wind had taken out the ice between Long Island and the end of Moultonborough Neck from the bridge down to around FL64. This morning, the rest was gone, down to at least the six-pack and beyond Pleasant Island. I can see some ice off in the distance, in the direction of Tuftonboro Neck.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by DickR

By late yesterday, the wind had taken out the ice between Long Island and the end of Moultonborough Neck from the bridge down to around FL64. This morning, the rest was gone, down to at least the six-pack and beyond Pleasant Island. I can see some ice off in the distance, in the direction of Tuftonboro Neck.

This is great news.... looks like on item has completed on my checklist of time to go open the camp.... Still have to contemplate the weather...

[Mike]

Open water as far as one can see in this pic today from Harilla Landing in Moultonborough. Even have a boat in the water.

[webmaster]

Posted 3/12 at 2 pm:

Emerson Aviation

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Alton Bay lost a lot overnight. One band left south of Echo Point is the major blockage. About 100 yards north of the bandstand there is a strip of ice holding back a pile of slush. I expect that to go today, and the rest to the north by tomorrow.

I hear the ice in the vicinity of 5 Mile is gone, and Island Services are out and about.

What does Center Harbor and Wolfeboro look like? Thinking Alton Bay may be the hold out.

I agree with code, Alton Bay will probably go out tomorrow. The ice that remains in the area of Loon Cove is short lived.

As viewed from Fay's dock today, Smith Cove is ready for a jail break tomorrow when the wind takes a break.

Alan

[ITD]

Flew over Alton around noon, needs another day or two. I have a picture, but can’t make it small enough to post.

[JB Long Island]

Still some ice in Meredith Bay but view from the top of Red Hill looks pretty clear! Squam looks pretty socked in.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by JB Long Island

Still some ice in Meredith Bay but view from the top of Red Hill looks pretty clear! Squam looks pretty socked in.

The stat professor said multiple times that all statistical models are wrong but some are useful. Does this model indicate we are experiencing global warming or is it wrong?


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by stingray

The stat professor said multiple times that all statistical models are wrong but some are useful. Does this model indicate we are experiencing global warming or is it wrong?


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

We are experiencing an early boating season.
Hopefully it makes up for last year's sucky rainy summer!

[codeman671]

Alton Bay is still hanging in there...Not today.

[DickR]

Originally Posted by ITD

... I have a picture, but can’t make it small enough to post.

Download & install IrfanView ([email protected]), a very nice and free picture viewer. It will let you resize pictures easily.

[Cobaltdeadhead]

Somewhat surprised it wasn't called yesterday. Driving through Alton Bay at 4, it just looked like a couple of patches of slush in the water at Echo Point.

[ishoot308]

At 4:37 pm today!….

Dan