Lake Winnipesaukee Ice-Out
Encyclopedia
Lake Winnipesaukee Ice-Out occurs when all the ice on Lake Winnipesaukee
, the largest lake
in New Hampshire
, has broken up after winter. Over the years this has been decided upon by a variety of means; as of 2010, Dave Emerson makes the call. Emerson flies two to three times a day over Lake Winnipesaukee to check on the ice. Ice-Out is declared when the MS Mount Washington
can make it to every one of its ports: Center Harbor
, Wolfeboro
, Alton
, Weirs Beach
and Meredith
. It is also considered the unofficial start to the boating season as well as the end of winter in New Hampshire. The earliest Ice-Out recorded was in 2010 on March 24, and the latest it occurred was in 1888 on May 12.
Because the Ice-Out designation is decided upon by one man, it is highly unscientific. The call does not mean that the lake is entirely devoid of ice, nor does the MS Mount Washington actually go to each of its ports. It is simply believed that the ship could.
Originally the Ice-Out designation was decided by people on shore. Later, for roughly 50 years, the call was made by Bob Aldrich, then, starting in the early 1980s, it was called by Alan Emerson. Since his death in 2002 it has been exclusively called by his son Dave.
Ice-Out has occurred earlier on average in the last two decades of the 20th century than any of the preceding decades records have been kept, culminating in the ice-out for 2010 registering four days earlier than the 124-year-old record. This, as well as maple syrup
season moving earlier over the same time span have led some to the conclusion global warming
is involved.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately long and from wide , covering — when Paugus Bay is included—with a maximum depth of ....
, the largest lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, has broken up after winter. Over the years this has been decided upon by a variety of means; as of 2010, Dave Emerson makes the call. Emerson flies two to three times a day over Lake Winnipesaukee to check on the ice. Ice-Out is declared when the MS Mount Washington
MS Mount Washington
The MS Mount Washington is the flagship vessel of the Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation. Its home port is on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia, New Hampshire, in the United States. The ship makes several ports of call around the lake during her scenic cruises in the spring, summer and fall months...
can make it to every one of its ports: Center Harbor
Center Harbor, New Hampshire
Center Harbor is a town located in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 1,096, a number which multiplies severalfold during the summer months. It is situated between Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake.- History :Center Harbor...
, Wolfeboro
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Wolfeboro is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,269 at the 2010 census. A venerable resort area situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro includes the village of Wolfeboro Falls...
, Alton
Alton, New Hampshire
Alton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,250 at the 2010 census. It is home to Alton Bay State Forest and Mount Major State Forest. Alton includes the village of Alton Bay, a long-time resort located beside Lake Winnipesaukee.The primary settlement in...
, Weirs Beach
Weirs Beach, New Hampshire
Weirs Beach is a village within the city of Laconia in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. It is located on the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. The cruise ship Mount Washington terminates there...
and Meredith
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 6,241 at the 2010 census. Meredith is situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is home to Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad...
. It is also considered the unofficial start to the boating season as well as the end of winter in New Hampshire. The earliest Ice-Out recorded was in 2010 on March 24, and the latest it occurred was in 1888 on May 12.
Because the Ice-Out designation is decided upon by one man, it is highly unscientific. The call does not mean that the lake is entirely devoid of ice, nor does the MS Mount Washington actually go to each of its ports. It is simply believed that the ship could.
History
Ice-Out records have been kept since 1887 as a way to keep track of when both commercial and passenger transportation lanes became usable in the lake. In 1974, Dr. William K. Widgert compiled data from known records to create a list of past dates.Originally the Ice-Out designation was decided by people on shore. Later, for roughly 50 years, the call was made by Bob Aldrich, then, starting in the early 1980s, it was called by Alan Emerson. Since his death in 2002 it has been exclusively called by his son Dave.
Ice-Out has occurred earlier on average in the last two decades of the 20th century than any of the preceding decades records have been kept, culminating in the ice-out for 2010 registering four days earlier than the 124-year-old record. This, as well as maple syrup
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species such as the bigleaf maple. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then...
season moving earlier over the same time span have led some to the conclusion global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
is involved.
Contests
There are two contests where the public can bet on when Ice-Out will occur on the lake. One is run by Public Service of New Hampshire and the other by Winnipesaukee.com.Ice-Out dates
| Year | Ice-Out Date |
|---|---|
| 1887 | May 7 |
| 1888 | May 12 |
| 1889 | April 14 |
| 1890 | April 24 |
| 1891 | April 23 |
| 1892 | April 11 |
| 1893 | May 10 |
| 1894 | April 20 |
| 1895 | April 26 |
| 1896 | April 23 |
| 1897 | April 23 |
| 1898 | April 14 |
| 1899 | May 2 |
| 1900 | April 26 |
| 1901 | April 20 |
| 1902 | April 4 |
| 1903 | April 2 |
| 1904 | April 29 |
| 1905 | April 24 |
| 1906 | April 26 |
| 1907 | April 29 |
| 1908 | April 21 |
| 1909 | April 19 |
| 1910 | April 6 |
| 1911 | May 2 |
| 1912 | April 23 |
| 1913 | April 17 |
| 1914 | April 15 |
| 1915 | April 24 |
| 1916 | April 16 |
| 1917 | April 28 |
| 1918 | April 24 |
| 1919 | April 14 |
| 1920 | April 24 |
| 1921 | March 28 |
| 1922 | April 17 |
| 1923 | April 24 |
| 1924 | April 18 |
| 1925 | April 10 |
| 1926 | May 2 |
| 1927 | April 13 |
| 1928 | April 19 |
| 1929 | April 18 |
| 1930 | April 7 |
| 1931 | April 11 |
| 1932 | April 20 |
| 1933 | April 25 |
| 1934 | April 21 |
| 1935 | April 21 |
| 1936 | April 8 |
| 1937 | April 25 |
| 1938 | April 17 |
| 1939 | May 4 |
| 1940 | May 4 |
| 1941 | April 16 |
| 1942 | April 18 |
| 1943 | April 30 |
| 1944 | May 3 |
| 1945 | April 1 |
| 1946 | March 30 |
| 1947 | April 24 |
| 1948 | April 10 |
| 1949 | April 6 |
| 1950 | April 20 |
| 1951 | April 14 |
| 1952 | April 20 |
| 1953 | April 3 |
| 1954 | April 16 |
| 1955 | April 19 |
| 1956 | May 3 |
| 1957 | April 3 |
| 1958 | April 13 |
| 1959 | April 26 |
| 1960 | April 19 |
| 1961 | April 27 |
| 1962 | April 24 |
| 1963 | April 20 |
| 1964 | April 28 |
| 1965 | April 22 |
| 1966 | April 20 |
| 1967 | April 20 |
| 1968 | April 15 |
| 1969 | April 25 |
| 1970 | April 28 |
| 1971 | May 6 |
| 1972 | May 2 |
| 1973 | April 16 |
| 1974 | April 17 |
| 1975 | April 25 |
| 1976 | April 17 |
| 1977 | April 21 |
| 1978 | April 27 |
| 1979 | April 25 |
| 1980 | April 16 |
| 1981 | April 5 |
| 1982 | April 29 |
| 1983 | April 10 |
| 1984 | April 20 |
| 1985 | April 14 |
| 1986 | April 16 |
| 1987 | April 12 |
| 1988 | April 16 |
| 1989 | April 25 |
| 1990 | April 22 |
| 1991 | April 8 |
| 1992 | April 21 |
| 1993 | April 22 |
| 1994 | April 23 |
| 1995 | April 15 |
| 1996 | April 17 |
| 1997 | April 24 |
| 1998 | April 7 |
| 1999 | April 8 |
| 2000 | April 10 |
| 2001 | May 2 |
| 2002 | April 5 |
| 2003 | April 25 |
| 2004 | April 20 |
| 2005 | April 20 |
| 2006 | April 3 |
| 2007 | April 23 |
| 2008 | April 23 |
| 2009 | April 12 |
| 2010 | March 24 |
| 2011 | April 19 |