The crack to East Allie

 The crack I use as a guide appeared at 16:00 May 01, this is the 3 rd latest date in 20 years.With minus temperatures at night we are still making ice in mornings. Our water intake is 10-15’ deep yesterday water temperature was +4c , still leaning towards May15-16. I lowered a boat yesterday and have her running ready to see how far I can get once the Narrows clear , approximately one week ? The water bomber was out flying around yesterday but not enough open water around Barrier Island to fill tank. About 10 years ago we had early spring and lots open water, bomber would pick up a load in The Elbow and his circuit brought him over our way and they were dumping tank on target South side East Allie, our own private air show. Actually worried we will have a fire ban if we don’t get some rain our island very dry.

On April 30 th In 2014 I could canoe across to East Allie without touching ice and lake was open May 19.

Today on April 30 There is still a little ice it looks honeycomb and with some wind should disappear in couple days. On morning of 28 th we made 1/4” ice on open water, tonight is colder at -5 so expect 3/8”ice to form ? On 26 th I went to Barepoint by ice boat and Strawberry was froze over , on 28 th she opened up approximately 150’ wide. There were a few small puddles of open water 5-6’ diameter on East side of Queer otherwise solid ice. The long range forecast has minus temperatures up till May 06 and warmest daytime is only 13,  lake level has risen close to 2” since opening around our dock. Normal height for this time of year but we have had very little precipitation. Hopefully make Barepoint by May 15-16 th ?
 

 

Ice

 This is the channel I spoke about, when a crack develops that I can canoe across without touching ice it averages 14 days to Barepoint.

Spring ,2026

 This spring thaw is very similar to 2014 Spring, including cooler temperatures. We had more open water in 14 than we do today. In 14 we had more snow on island than this year. We were ice free May 19 in 2014 ,Working around docks yesterday in morning ice was dry and by 16:00 there were holes and flooded, but 20’ from shore still 30” thick. Yesterday was sunny,calm 14c, today is 20 with sun so expect to see shoreline open up. My guess is boating between May 12 to 19 ? Leaning closer to 19 th, I’ll have a better idea on April 30, that’s when I could canoe across to East Allie without touching ice and once that happens it averages 14 days till ice out. 

We made it to Barepoint this morning

 Had a good ride in with little ice at Cat Island to push through, great for cleaning the hull ! Next is was in Bigstone on East side Lunny’s Island but could navigate around that easily. Arrived home 15:00 there is still ice south of French Narrows around White out island, you can’t boat from West to East across the Manitou but you can get around by Scotty’s and Hades and  shammis narrows is open and you can travel Holmstrum marsh and Back channel. Looking East into Moore Bay, Andrew Bay both clear it looked a little white as far East into Bigstone as you could see, expect last of lingering ice to disappear 9 or 10. Lake has risen 10” since it first opened around our dock, nice height you don’t need a ladder to get out boat. This will be last post till Freeze up , safe boating 

Lake is open

 Just got a text from a friend who was flying today and his report is we can get to Barepoint.

However there is still some ice in Bigstone and Manitou to navigate around and you won’t get too far past French Narrows. We have had huge pieces of ice flowing past all day, some size football fields.Debbie and I will make our first run in for fresh produce in morning and I’ll be all over the Lake Friday so when I get home in evening I’ll post