Ice Conditions - Snake Island/Island Grove area, January 27, 2022

[Vampire With Freckles]

Hi Folks:

Headed out on the lake around 2 out of East Point marina on a quad. Didn't check the ice thickness cuz a reliable source advised us the ice was 6+ inches (last weekend) in the areas we were planning to cross and after 6 days of extreme cold weather I was confident the ice was solid.

Travel by quad in this area can be summed up in two words "a nightmare". There were some bare ice areas, however, most of the lake surface was covered in snow (ranging from 2-10 inches deep)- which had a dry structure that wasn't compressed or solid. It was extremely windy which caused white out conditions resulted in my personal favourite - deep snow drifts. To make matters worst there were 1000's of ice shards (they look like small shark fins) sitting proud of the ice surface (ranging in 3-8 inches high). We headed home around 4 in the middle of a snow storm and high winds - which I suspect won't improve surface of the ice.

Due to the amount of snow on top of the ice, especially the numerous large snow drifts plus the ice shards - travel on a quad was a challenge and thankfully we had a shovel to deal with the numerous occasions we encountered deep snow drifts where we ended up stuck and/or couldn't get any traction.

I suspect walking on the ice will be a challenge especially for anyone dragging out ice fishing gear.

I suspect the current ice and snow conditions on top of the lake in the channel area between Island Grove and Snake Island would be easy going for anyone heading out on a ski doo.

Stay safe and warm while out on the ice folks.

That's all for now, Nancy

[Moonman]

Thanks Nancy!

[icecy]

Thanks for the update Nancy

[fish hawk]

Thank you for update Nancy. I always looked forward to your updates in the last 10 years, and I thank you for the reports. Next week will be another 10 cm ( 5 inches) fresh new snowfall in the forecast for Island Grove and it will make walking very difficult and a nightmare for the Quads going out.
Keep up the reports
Thank you .

Fish hawk.

[alchipe441]

thank you!!!