Question I have always wanted to ask!

[Steuben1]

Without getting too technical,  how much ice do we make each day with temps being the way they are?  I know it depends on the wind and lake, etc., but just a from the hip number?  1/2" per night?  What do you guys think?


Steuben1

[Jigmup]

Theres a chart somewhere....I think Hoosier Bassin might have posted it....I will look

[blueultra2]

Here's a chart.....

[jimmyclaude]

I would think that wind would also affect the rate.

[Jigmup]

goog job Blueultra...you beat me to it. Thats the exact chart I was going to put up

[blueultra2]

goog job Blueultra...you beat me to it. Thats the exact chart I was going to put up

LOL....I found it on the other website.

[waterfowler]

i dont think wind has anything to do it once there is already ice but if its open water then yes wind would have something to do with it

[h2.0shaver]

BUMP

[Derslayer1]

i dont think wind has anything to do it once there is already ice but if its open water then yes wind would have something to do with it

Wind has everything to do with makin ice...

[marmooskapaul]

I've noticed it's taking a while for ponds and open water to re-freeze around here, New Castle/Muncie. Lake at work has open water again today.After a warm up and rain I don't think it's going to make ice like the chart says.Ice that didn't melt may be growing or may be loosing in some areas because of increased water movement, from open water and run-off.Hopefully this cold blast will fix it.
Paul

[SkeeterJeff]

Assuming the chart is correct, and looking at the temps forecast for New Castle on Accuweather.com for today, tomorrow, and Friday, here is how it should pan out assuming a skim to start with:

Wed.  High 33 Low 15 Avg 25 = .8 from a skim

Thurs. High 26 Low 10 Avg 20 = .6 from 2", total 1.4"

Fri. High 22 Low 9 Avg 15 = 1.4" from 2", total = 3.4"

I rounded up or down for the average to meet the chart.  I also used 2" for Thurs. when the chart actually showed .8 from Wed. so that is conservative.  With any luck, and assuming the chart is correct (and we all know what happens when we assume!), there should be somewhere close to 4" where there was open water around the edges.  This doesn't take into accout any wind.  If it's 3" of new, clear, solid ice, I would think you should be able to get out to the thicker ice without much trouble.

Just some number crunching and speculation on my part.  I don't have enough real life experience to recommend anything to anyone.

... and there is no such thing as safe ice!!

-Jeff

[High Tide]

I hope your right Skeeter... worse case, we'll have to drive a few hours north. 

[jimmyclaude]

i dont think wind has anything to do it once there is already ice but if its open water then yes wind would have something to do with it

Yes, the temp is always constant.  The body of water will gererate some heat at the surface of the ice. Wind will remove or diminish the small heat layer at the surface of the ice.