Spring 2024

 I took our truck off ice yesterday, could have pushed her  a little longer but open water on South side of French Narrows Portage is getting larger and with mild temperatures coming next week figured it’s time.Eagles, Gulls and Crows all back but not as many Geese as usual for this time year. Last year I made it to Barepoint May 07 ( did have to push through ice in couple places ) so stay tuned.

Skating Rink

 Ice is about 3” thick

The Manitou has froze

 She froze over earlier but winds opened her up. She is now frozen, going into winter mode today with 5-10 cm in forecast 

This picture is Ministry Landing Nov 28

 

Ice forming

 Our internet has been down for several weeks ( you don’t realize how much we depend on it till you don’t have it for extended periods) so this is first chance I’ve had for an update. The bridge to Coney went in couple weeks ago. Laurenson lake froze a week ago but with last warm spell and wind reopened in middle, she is now frozen . We normally freeze 2 weeks later, Welcome Channel is froze over as is small bays. The South end (North West Angle area) was making ice 9 days ago.

Lake is open

 That’s me in Red Floater , I pushed north through ice and Rob Edlund was pushing South we met a Finches Point. This morning that ice and all ice visible to East in Bigstone  Bay is gone. However we still have ice visible 1 mile south and  less than 1 mile to East of our place at French Narrows. 2023 boating season has begun, be safe on water, and be cautious with fires we are tinder dry this spring, next post will be when Lake starts freeze.

Spring Update

 April 25 th goes in book as day I can canoe across to East Allie without touching ice ! Looked back at diaries and when this happens it’s anywhere from 7 days to 23 days we can boat to Barepoint. The last snow has melted off on land with some winter snow still hanging in shaded areas in bush .But it has left a protective cover on ice and this is reflecting sun. Another problem is with minus temperatures at night and calm winds we are still making ice and it takes till afternoon to melt. My first guess was May 05 then I revised it to May 13 after getting 8” snow, with cooler long range forecast I’ll stick with the latter.