Bad Ice

[Wayne Ek]

Just got in from walking the dog on Lobster (Alex). The ice is in bad shape. We now have 3 to 5 inches of water on the ice, covered by 4 to 5 inches of new snow. I found two dark spots in 4 foot of water, they are holes that the water made while forcing it's way up. Not drilled holes, these where not there yesterday. Be very, very careful on the lakes. Happy New Years.

[Surface Tension]

Agape, Thanks for the reminder. Warm temps and water on the ice means that water is going to flow somewhere and when it does its going to open up holes. First Ice I walk out with a chisel and test every step but once the ice gets to certain depth we think things are OK and get lulled into thinking the ice is fine after 3". Our temps lately have effected the ice conditions from making ice to ice thats deteriorating. Be careful out there and remember our walking on water.

[Hecker]

I walked out to Kegs reef on Waconia last Thursday and there were tons of those toilt holes. Most were larger than 15"s in diameter and the ice was really soft for the most part. "Scary" wheelers beware